Our Executive Staff
RICHARD POLAK - President and CEO
IBIS Advisors
1.323.954.7000
For over 36 years, IBIS has provided multinationals with information, research, and advice on global HR issues. During the past decade, the company has grown to include offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Washington DC, New York, Boston, Hartford, The Netherlands, and Argentina, with affiliates in over 90 countries. Mr. Polak has advised over 300 of the world’s most innovative emerging multinational companies in international management, human resources, and compensation and benefits issues. IBIS is the international helpline for SHRM.
Mr. Polak has consulted and conducted studies on the design and implementation of overseas pension programs, benefits and compensation for expatriates and third country nationals, multinational pooling, investment vehicles for overseas pension plans, consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, administration, communication programs, and corporate policy development. His firm provides high-quality human resources solutions to meet the demands of international organizations that are undergoing rapid global change.
Prior to forming Polak International Consultants, Mr. Polak was the Western Regional Manager of Foster Higgins' international practice (now Mercer HR Consulting). While there, he built the largest international consulting practice outside of New York, managing 73 international accounts.
Recognizing the need to provide fast and accurate information to his clients, Mr. Polak purchased the 33-year-old company, IBIS (International Benefits Information Service: www.ibisadvisors.com). With this resource, IBIS became a full service consulting firm that can provide faster and more efficient services to its clients.
Richard Polak’s article in World at Work on Global Benefit Strategies earned him an award as one of four best articles for the year 2003. Mr. Polak was a Subject Matter Expert for SHRM’s Global Learning System. He has presented at many conferences for organizations around the world, including the International Labor Organization in Geneva, Social Security Reform in Bulgaria, the Compensation and Benefits Association, The National Conference on Pension Reform, SHRM Global Forum, WIPA, ORC, and the IBIS Academy. He has been interviewed and has had articles published in publications including Employee Benefits Adviser, Workspan, Compensation and Benefits Management, HR.com, SHRM's HR News, and dozens of Business Journals.
Mr. Polak holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Mathematics from Alfred University in New York, with continued studies at Columbia University, The New School for Social Research, and UCLA.
Richard Polak
Recent Speaking & Publication List
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Date
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Event
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Location
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May 2008
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CCH Publications – Interview for global magazine on International Benefits
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Publication
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Apr 2008
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IBIS Academy – Keynote Speaker on Global Employee Benefits
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Dublin, Ireland
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Feb 2008
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Webpod interview for online benefits publication Employee Benefits News
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Publication
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Jul 2007
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American Benefits Council – Update on China to committee members
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Washington, DC
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Aug. 2007
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The Expat Zone – Play dramatizing the challenges faced by expatriate employees Employee Benefit Adviser
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Publication
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Apr 2007
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• IBIS Academy – Speaker at the premiere IBIS Academy
• ABD Int'l Benefits and Compensation Seminar – Keynote Speaker
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Paris, France
San Diego, CA
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Oct 2006
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• HR.Com Employers of Excellence – Speaker at IBIS Benefits Track
• Atlanta Annual HR Conference – Opening in New Territories, An HR Perspective
• Self Insurance Industry of America – Keynote Speaker on Global Self-insurance Challenges
• IPAS Conference on International Compensation – Trends in International HR
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Las Vegas, NV
Atlanta, GA
Scottsdale, AZ
San Diego, CA
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Jun 2006
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National Foreign Trade Council – Update on War & Terrorism Issues Around the World
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New York, NY
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May 2006
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World at Work Annual Conference – The Goldilocks Approach to International Benefits
SHRM Nova Chapter – Cracking the Nest Egg: Understanding Global Pensions
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Anaheim, CA
Fairfax, VA
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April 2006
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IBIS Conference – Owner of and Speaker at 36th Annual Conference: reflecting international benefit trends throughout the world
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Berlin, Germany
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Mar 2006
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SHRM Global Conference – How to Spin Straw into International Benefits Gold
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Las Vegas, NV
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Feb 2006
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Culture in a Box – Article on 10 Steps to a Successful Company through Culture. World at Work
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Publication
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Sep 2005
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Insuring for War and Terrorism in Iraq and Other High-Risk areas. World at Work
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Publication
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May 2005
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IBIS Annual Conference – The ABCs of IEBs
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Budapest, Hungary
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May 2005
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Cornerstone Annual Conference – Keynote Speaker on the HR Employment Lifecycle
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Merida, Mexico
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Apr 2005
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SHRM Annual Conference – Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Europe: Top cities from an HR Perspective.
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Chicago, IL
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Feb 2005
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National Foreign Trade Council – Meeting with members on "Insuring Iraq and Other High Risk Areas"
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Long Beach, CA
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Jan 2005
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WEB NOVA Chapter – The 7 Deadly Sins of International Benefits
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Washington, DC
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Jan 2005
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Westchester SHRM Chapter – The 7 Deadly Sins of International Benefits
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White Plains, NY
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Nov 2004
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SHRM Webinar – Going International: Steps Every Company Should Know
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Internet Webcast
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Oct 2004
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HR Leaders Summit – Industry Thought Leader at three–day Conference
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Palm Desert, CA
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Oct 2004
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National Foreign Trade Council – Meeting with members on "Insuring Iraq and Other High Risk Areas"
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New York, NY
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Sep 2004
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N. Virginia HR Association – Meeting with HR executives to discuss the best cities for human capital in Europe.
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Fairfax, VA
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Jun 2004
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Washington, D.C – Briefed group of government contractors on the issues concerning insuring employees in Iraq and other high risk areas
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Washington, D.C.
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May 2004
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World at Work Conference – Awarded one of the four best articles written in WorkForce Magazine
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Boston, MA
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May 2004
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IBF Conference – Moderator of Global Panel on Reducing Healthcare Costs
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Fairfax, VA
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Apr 2004
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North Texas Compensation Association – "How to Spin Straw into International Compensation & Benefits Gold"
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Dallas, TX
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Mar 2004
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SHRM Global Conference – Introduction to International Compensation & Benefits; four hours
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Miami, FL
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Feb 2004
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IBF Conference on Controlling Healthcare Costs – Panelist for Global Healthcare issues
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Marina del Rey, CA
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Nov 2003
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Society of Actuaries – Conference for Multinational Employers; member of panel on expatriates and also workshop leader on Asia/Pacific Pension plans
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New York, NY
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Nov 2003
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Houston International HR Conf. – The 7 Deadly Sins of International Benefits
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Houston, TX
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Oct 2003
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Participated as one of three Subject Matter Experts for SHRM's new Global Learning System
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Washington, DC
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May 2003
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Achieved status on the SHRM Speaker Directory: Each presenter has been ranked a 3.50 or better on a 4-point scale (with 4 representing a perfect score)
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Virginia
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Oct 2003
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Southwest HR Conference – Spinning Int'l Comp & Benefits into Gold
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Dallas, TX
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Oct 2003
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Virginia Global HR Conference – Spinning Int'l Comp & Benefits into Gold
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Falls Church, VA
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Apr 2003
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UCLA Workshop on Int'l HR
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Los Angeles, CA
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Apr 2003
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World at Work Annual Conference – Introduction to International Compensation & Benefits
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San Diego, CA
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Mar 2003
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SHRM Global Conference – Introduction to International Compensation & Benefits; 4 hrs
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Los Angeles, CA
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Mar 2003
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Segal/Sibson Seminar – Preserving Your Bottom Line
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Los Angeles, CA
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Feb 2003
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IBIS Institute – Presentation on International Pension plans
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Brussels, Belgium
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Feb 2003
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NCHRA Conference – Up–to–date with International Benefits
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San Jose, CA
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Publication Feb 2003
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Workspan (magazine of World at Work) – Finding a Path to Global Benefits
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US Nationwide publication
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Sep 2002
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Annual Conference for HR Assn. of Northern California: "Align Technology's Experience in Doing Business in International Markets, an HR perspective." Presented by Richard Polak and Jo–Ann Byrne, Dir. of HR at Align Technology
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Oakland, CA
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Jun 2002
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"Key Note speaker": HR Assn. of the Midlands plus technical sessions on "Global Team Development and Intercultural Training"
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Omaha, Nebraska
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Publication: May 2002
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Compensation & Benefits Management Magazine: Retirement Programs for Cross Border Transfers
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US Nationwide publication
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May 2002
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Annual IBIS Conference: "International Hybrid Pension Plans"
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Prague, Czech Republic
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Feb 2002
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Continuing Education class for Silicon Valley Health Insurers Assn: "Insuring Local Nationals"
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San Jose, CA
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Publication: Jun 2002
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NYU School of Law: "Cross Border Transfers" – Chapter on Pension Plans
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Publication
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Nov 2001
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WIPA: "Doing Business in New Markets"
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San Francisco, CA
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Feb 2001
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ORC Roundtable: "Benefit programs for Global employees"
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Scottsdale, AZ
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Mar 2001
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SHRM & University of Dallas Graduate School Presentation: "Insuring Local Nationals"
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Dallas & Houston
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May 2001
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NYU School of Law: Conf. Of Cross Border Human Resources issues: "Cross Border Pension Plans"
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New York, NY
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Sep 2000
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Named "Who's Who of American Executives"
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Washington, DC
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Jul 2000
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International Labor Organization annual meeting: "Worldwide Retirement Plans" to members of over 40 countries
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Geneva, Switzerland
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May 2000
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Bulgaria: National Conf. on Pension Reform: "Social Security Systems Around the World"
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Sofia, Bulgaria
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Jun 2000
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Western International Personnel Association: "Worldwide Retirement Benefits"
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SF, CA & LA, CA
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Apr 2000
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Los Angeles Comp & Benefits Assn.: (LACABA) "Design International Compensation and Benefit Programs"
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Los Angeles, CA
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Frank Monsma
Executive VP, Marketing
+31 455 717 490
Frank Monsma is currently head of marketing for IBIS Advisors. He is located in The Netherlands and joined IBIS after 36 years with ING. Prior to joining IBIS, Mr. Monsma was Regional Director of Sales for Nationale-Nederlanden (before the ING merger), one of Europe’s largest Life Insurance companies, where he was responsible for managing 200 employees/agents with sales in excess of $200 million premium. He was so successful he was asked to head the Product Management & Advertising department. His responsibilities included promoting and supporting sales campaigns, product development, national advertising (radio / tv/ news papers, magazines etc.). He was in charge of a budget of $10 million with a staff of 45 employees. After the merger between the bank and the insurer, when "ING" was formed, Mr. Monsma position was to develop, build and manage international relationships between ING and large financial institutions (mainly banks and insurers). In addition, he set up two companies for ING aimed at servicing small to medium sized enterprises with financial products (financial planning and consultancy services).
Melissa Ruchhoeft, J.D.
Technical Unit Manager
1.323.954.7000
Melissa Ruchhoeft is a lawyer and heads the Technical Unit at IBIS Advisors. Over the last seven years, she has concentrated on Employment, Benefits, Legal, and Expatriate issues at IBIS while working with companies in numerous industries. Melissa has performed multinational pooling studies and multi-country policy comparisons, conducted benefits reviews, and consulted and conducted studies on the design and implementation of pension and benefits programs for local nationals, third country nationals, and expatriates. Melissa also produces Country Reference Manuals, custom surveys, International Assignment policies, Handbooks, Work Rules, and other communication and administrative documents.
Melissa has implemented several total set-up solutions for companies; in one instance, she helped a company establish legal entities, employment contracts, benefits and compensation designs and implementation, and payroll in 11 countries simultaneously.
Ms. Ruchhoeft joined IBIS after leaving a legal career. Melissa spent several years with Chrysalis Management Group, a financial consulting firm, where she performed compliance work involving local, state, and federal licensure, tax, and banking. Melissa holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wellesley College and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Keith J. Goodell, FSA
International Pension Actuary
1.860.657.1093
Keith joined IBIS Advisors with 30 years of actuarial experience in the retirement benefits field, including a focus on international benefits in the last 20 years. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He graduated with a BA from Hiram College in Ohio.
His employment history includes a variety of actuarial assignments in a large insurance company, employment as the manager of actuarial services for a Fortune 50 company with major international operations, and working in consulting firms, including managing his own consulting firm prior to joining IBIS Advisors.
This work experience afforded exposure to benefits structures and financing arrangements in a broad range of countries. Keith regularly assists clients in education about international benefits practices and measurement of retirement benefit obligations. Using his broad experience, he helps clients bridge the communication gap about employee benefits between local country managers and US HQ benefits managers.
Nicholas Dobelbower, Ph.D.
Senior Editor
1.323.954.7000
Nick Dobelbower manages the research and editorial department of IBIS Advisors. He directly oversees the production of IBIS Country Profiles and the IBIS e-Visor monthly news and compliance alerts system.
Prior to joining IBIS Advisors, Nick Dobelbower worked as a consultant and editor at the OECD in Paris. He also had an academic career, teaching Literature and Critical Theory at Duke University, Bucknell University, and Macalester College. He holds a B.A. from George Washington University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University in European Literature and Languages.
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