UP CLOSE: Eugene Oppo

Eugene Oppo

NEW YORK-BASED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Segal Consulting, a unit of The Segal Group Inc.

PREVIOUS POSITION: New York-based senior consulting actuary for Uniondale, New York-based Chernoff Diamond & Co. L.L.C.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Helping our firm and our clients be successful, and for both to help grow our business.

CHALLENGES FACING INDUSTRY: Less emphasis on defined benefit pension plans and the rise in prominence of defined contribution plans, combined with people living longer, have raised a new series of issues and challenges for retirement consultants.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The industry continues to grow with an enhanced focus on defined contribution plans and managing the risk around existing defined benefit plans.

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: Actuarial associate at Touche Ross, now part of Deloitte and Touche.

WHAT SURPRISED ME: How interesting the work was. I had expected actuarial work to be a little boring. But I've never stopped learning new things, and it has been a great career.

ADVICE: Work hard and hire smart people.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: Professional athlete or a stand-up comedian.

HOBBIES: Tennis, skiing, golf and kayaking.

THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I play online video games. My boys got me hooked.

WHEN I RETIRE: Be healthy, see my kids and travel.

CAN'T-MISS TELEVISION SHOW: Don't watch TV shows. I grew up without a TV and never picked it up.

FAVORITE BOOK: As a kid, it was “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas.

BEST CITY: New York City, a vibrant young city with heart, music, theater and waterfront. It has everything.

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Kayaking on Long Island Sound.