Tara Hessert is president and owner of the second largest defined-contribution plan administration and consulting firm in Dayton, Ohio.  She founded the firm in 1991 as the sole employee. 

Dynamic Pension Services has grown to nearly $1 million a year in gross sales with 300 clients and 10 employees.  Hessert received the Dayton Business Journal’s "40 Under 40” award in 2002, recognizing her as one of Dayton’s brightest young business, political and community leaders.

Hessert has been a guest speaker on pension issues and is frequently complimented on her unique ability to make this complicated subject understandable by cutting through all the jargon and lingo.  She has spoken at the NIPA (National Institute of Pension Administrators) Conference on the differences between 403(b) and 401(k) plans, as well as, taught courses on retirement plan administration at the Midwest Trust School. 

She began working in the pension field in 1989 with Pension Technology Group in Miamisburg, Ohio.  Prior to that she worked as a paralegal in Philadelphia and in supervision at Monsanto Research Corporation in Miamisburg. 

An avid sportswoman, Hessert is a corporate sponsor for several University of Dayton sports teams, including men’s and women’s basketball.  She was recognized recently in two UD publications for her significant donations to the University.

Hessert has been a volunteer coach for a variety of sports in the Dayton area.  During the 1980s and early 1990s, she coached girls’ tennis, cross-country, basketball and softball at West Carrollton High School.  In the late 1980s she also coached girls’ basketball at Alter High School. 

Hessert is active in her church, most recently assisting with a building project, working with hammer and nails to save costs.  This helped her church move into a new building and grow their congregation.  In addition, she made a sizeable contribution to the building fund campaign to help this dream become a reality.

Hessert received her bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Dayton.  She lives in Washington Township with her dogs, Abbey and Zeke, and cat, Zorro.  Abbey and Zeke accompany Hessert to work every day, and in some cases, are requested to join Hessert on client visits.

Outside of work, Hessert enjoys golfing, running and reading.