Acquisition Expands Daybright’s Presence into the Midwest

Iselin, NJ – August 26, 2025 – Daybright Financial is proud to announce the acquisition of Hessel & Associates, LLC, a highly respected pension consulting firm and full-service Third-Party Administrator (TPA) based in Lincolnshire, IL. Founded in 1979 by Paul and Wendy Hessel, the company transitioned leadership to their daughter, Brooke Hessel Cline, in 2011. The company has experienced significant growth, serving small to mid-sized employers with 401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit, and cash balance plans throughout the Midwest.

As part of the acquisition, Brooke Hessel Cline will continue to lead the business as Managing Partner within Daybright’s Private Sector Retirement Solutions segment.

Hessel Cline stated, “We share a strong common culture with the Daybright team, being focused on our associates and providing exceptional products and services to our clients.  As part of the Daybright family we can tap into critical resources, technology and expertise to support our future growth and evolution, particularly given the convergence of new regulations and technology impacting our industry.”

Patrick Hale, Head of Private Sector Retirement Solutions at Daybright Financial, said, “Brooke is a highly successful, energetic leader with an impressive, experienced, and long-tenured team of retirement experts that have cultivated a strong, local client base over their 45+ years in business.”

Megan Schneider, CEO of Daybright, said, “We’re excited to welcome Brooke and the entire Hessel & Associates team to Daybright to add strength to our Private Sector Retirement segment and support our expansion across the Midwest.”

Click here or below to watch this short video about the background to the acquisition and learn more about the legacy of Hessel & Associates, LLC.

About Daybright Financial: 

Simply put, we are one of the nation’s largest independent, privately held firms specializing in employee benefits, retirement plans, and all their associated compliance needs. Since 2008, we have grown by acquiring over 60 local and national firms that have been trusted members of their communities for decades. We hold the coveted “Best Places to Work – USA,” certification and serve more than 18,000 employer groups and 3.6 million plan participants nationally.

For more information on Daybright Financial, visit daybright.com. Follow Daybright on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Benefits brokers, consultants and PEOs, please visit Daybright Broker Solutions at daybrightsolutions.com

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