Gary Kleinschmidt

Managing Director of Dakota Retirement Services

Gary Kleinschmidt joined Dakota in April 2025 as Managing Director of Dakota Retirement Services. Working closely with our Investment Sales team, he will head the newly formed DCIO (Defined Contribution Investment Only) effort at the firm.

He brings a wealth of industry experience, having previously served as CEO and Co-Founder of Safeguard Asset Management. A recognized leader in the retirement space, Gary was a founding member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) Leadership Council and spent four years serving on the State of Maryland’s Task Force to Ensure Retirement Security. He was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Defined Contribution” by 401kWire for four consecutive years.

Gary earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from The Pennsylvania State University.

Outside of work, Gary stays active in a senior baseball league and enjoys golf and boating along the Jersey Shore. He lives in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, with his wife of 36 years, Maureen, and their five-year-old golden retriever, Bailey. He’s the proud father of three - Gary, Lauren, and Kelly - and grandfather to two grandsons, Chase and Cole.

Gary Kleinschmidt

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