Working with an Independent Financial Advisor

Strong CEO Support
The best FSI promotion comes from the top and our firm member CEOs are key players in advisor participation.
Ex. One FSI firm member requires their 1100+ advisors to phone the CEO personally if they desired to opt-out of FSI membership.
CEOs can also send targeted communication encouraging participation in your annual financial advisor membership campaigns

Robust Opt-Out or Mandatory Campaign Processes
Campaigns that make membership mandatory or employ an opt-out process which require advisors to be proactive have the greatest chance for high participation rates. (See links below for suggested verbiage.)
• CEO Memo to Advisors Template
• Example of Renewal Memos Sent Via Email
• Sample Renewal Memo on Internal Site
• Sample Language for Eblasts/Newsletters
• Example of Renewal Invoice Showing FSI Fee

Year-Round Marketing and Communications Support
The more visibility that FSI and our advocacy efforts have in front of your advisors, the better their understanding and the higher their likelihood to join/renew their memberships. Here are a few examples:
• Visibility at annual conferences
o FSI staff may attend/speak at your annual conference(s), subject to availability.
o FSI can provide talking points for your CEO to insert into his/her keynote presentation, a very short promotional video to be played during a general session, and/or handout flyers for distribution to attendees via chair-drop or at your registration desk.
• Promotion of FSI via your rep Intranet site, rep newsletter, etc.
• Adding “Proud FSI Member” logo to internal website and/or other advisor communications with a link to FSI’s website.
• Promoting FSI’s CoveredAdvisor Insurance Benefits program during your firm’s open enrollment period

Leveraging “Center-of-Influence” Advisors to Influence Their Peers
FSI has had success leveraging the influence of respected financial advisor members with their peers. Our Financial Advisor Council exists in large part to fill that purpose. Members of this Council are expected to assist with the following types of activities:
• Delivering short presentations or testimonials of FSI membership benefits to their peers at your conferences and Regional/OSJ meetings.
• Providing quotes or entire articles (perhaps ghostwritten) to be distributed to your advisors.
• Provide FSI with the names and contact info of your most influential advisors. FSI staff will reach out and introduce ourselves and work with them to become FSI ambassadors.

FSI has had success leveraging the influence of respected financial advisor members with their peers. Our Financial Advisor Council exists in large part to fill that purpose. Members of this Council are expected to assist with the following types of activities:

• Delivering short presentations or testimonials of FSI membership benefits to their peers at your conferences and Regional/OSJ meetings.
• Providing quotes or entire articles (perhaps ghostwritten) to be distributed to your advisors.
• Provide FSI with the names and contact info of your most influential advisors. FSI staff will reach out and introduce ourselves and work with them to become FSI ambassadors.

The more visibility that FSI and our advocacy efforts have in front of your advisors, the better their understanding and the higher their likelihood to join/renew their memberships. Here are a few examples:

• Visibility at annual conferences

• • FSI staff may attend/speak at your annual conference(s), subject to availability.
  • FSI can provide talking points for your CEO to insert into his/her keynote presentation, a very short promotional video to be played during a general session, and/or handout flyers for distribution to attendees via chair-drop or at your registration desk.

• Promotion of FSI via your rep Intranet site, rep newsletter, etc.
• Adding “Proud FSI Member” logo to internal website and/or other advisor communications with a link to FSI’s website.
• Promoting FSI’s CoveredAdvisor Insurance Benefits program during your firm’s open enrollment period

Campaigns that make membership mandatory or employ an opt-out process which require advisors to be proactive have the greatest chance for high participation rates. (See links below for suggested verbiage.)

• CEO Memo to Advisors Template
• Example of Renewal Memos Sent Via Email
• Sample Renewal Memo on Internal Site
• Sample Language for Eblasts/Newsletters
• Example of Renewal Invoice Showing FSI Fee

The best FSI promotion comes from the top and our firm member CEOs are key players in advisor participation.

Ex. One FSI firm member requires their 1100+ advisors to phone the CEO personally if they desired to opt-out of FSI membership.

CEOs can also send targeted communication encouraging participation in your annual financial advisor membership campaigns

Manager, Accounting & Customer Relations Systems

Wanda.Blevins@financialservices.org

(202) 350-3958

*Contact for questions about state legislation and to schedule meetings with state legislators

Associate Vice President, State Affairs

michelle.foster@financialservices.org

*Contact for questions about federal legislation

Director, Legislative Affairs

Maurice.Jackson@financialservices.org

*Contact for questions about state and federal regulations

VP, Regulatory Affairs & Associate General Counsel

Robin.Traxler@financialservices.org

*Contact for financial advisor membership questions and campaign/CoveredAdvisor marketing support

Director, Corporate Relations & Culture

Nicki.Brown@financialservices.org

(202) 601-2500

*Contact for firm/enterprise-level membership support

VP, Corporate Relations

Kevin.Whitehead@financialservices.org

(770) 980-8497

Chris Paulitz
Senior Vice President, Membership & Marketing
202-204-6424
Email Chris

PAC Contributions

Thank you for your interest in donating to FSI PAC. Grassroots donations like yours are some of the most important support we get, and we greatly appreciate your help advocating for the industry. Choose your preferred method of donation below.

Give Online  Give via Mail

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or learn more about our advocacy priorities.

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI): 40 miles or approximately an hour by car from hotel, depending on time of day and traffic.

Options from Baltimore/Washington International Airport

• Shuttle Service:Transportation is available through SuperShuttle to the hotel. The trip is approximately $32. 

• Taxi Service:Approximately $70 (allow 60 minutes of travel time) 

• Train:Take the free shuttle from the airport to BWI Marshall Rail Station and take either the AMTRAK/MARC train to Union Station. Once at Union Station, take the Metro (Red Line) in the direction of Shady Grove to the Metro Center stop. Follow signs for the 11th Street and G Street exits. Make a right onto 11th Street, and head north for 3 blocks. Make a right onto New York Avenue, then a left onto 10th Street NW. The hotel is on the left, in between New York Avenue and K Street NW, located on 10th Street NW. Approximately $6 for MARC and $2.00 for Metro. MARC is available Monday – Friday (limited schedules on holidays). AMTRAK is available daily with service on the weekends (ticket prices vary).

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD):  25 miles or approximately 45 minutes by car from hotel, depending on time of day and traffic.

Options from Dulles International Airport

• Shuttle Service:Transportation is available through SuperShuttle to the hotel. The trip is approximately $25. 

• Taxi Service:Approximately $60 

• Metro: The Silver Line Express schedule can be found here.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): is DC’s closest airport – 6 miles or approximately 20 minutes by car from hotel, depending on time of day and traffic.

Options from Reagan National Airport:

• Taxi:Approximately $20 

• Shuttle Service:Transportation is available through SuperShuttle to the hotel. The trip is approximately $15. 

• Metro:Take the Blue, Orange or Red line to Metro Center. Follow signs for the 11th Street and G Street exits. Make a right onto 11th Street, and head north for 3 blocks. Make a right onto New York Avenue, then a left onto 10th Street NW. The hotel is on the left, in between New York Avenue and K Street NW, located on 10th Street NW. Approximately $2.00 per person.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Ed Forst is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and has been dedicated to helping individuals with all aspects of financial planning since 1980. As president and chief executive officer of the Lincoln Investment Companies, Ed oversees the activities of over 1,100 licensed advisors and more than 300 full-time operations and support personnel.

The Lincoln Investment Companies include a full-service broker-dealer and registered investment advisors serving the diverse and changing financial needs of more than 270,000 individual investors, representing over $24.7 billion in assets. For almost 50 years, Lincoln Investment has been committed to helping individuals and families achieve long-term financial well-being through the expert guidance of independent financial professionals.

J. Scott Spiker joined First Command Financial Services in September 2007, becoming the first Chief Executive Officer recruited from outside the company. Effective January 2017, the company’s Board of Directors also elected him as Chairman/CEO. In this dual role, Scott focuses on the continued development of the strategic direction of First Command, reaffirming and strengthening the company’s historic commitment to serving our nation’s career military families in their pursuit of financial security.

This emphasis aligns with Scott’s own history of military service. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, he served as the navigator aboard a frigate, undertaking a three-year tour of duty with extensive travel to the Indian Ocean. Scott also served as Head of Enlisted Recruiting for the Midwest Region at Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

Following his military service, Scott served in a number of senior executive roles in the investment, insurance and banking industries. His previous executive leadership positions include:
President and CEO of Destiny Health, President and CEO of the Stanton Group, President and COO of Definity Health, and President of the Business Services Group at Dain Rauscher (now RBC). He also served in senior leadership positions at Norwest Corporation (now Wells Fargo Corporation) and Mark Twain Bancshares.

Scott is actively involved in both his community and the financial services industry. In August 2014, he became the Chairman of the Board for United Way of Tarrant County and held that position until July 2016. Since his term ended, he has continued to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. He was also recently elected to the 2018 Board of Directors for the Financial
Services Institute, an organization dedicated to ensuring all individuals have access to competent and affordable financial advice, products and services. He will assume this position in January 2018.

A 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Scott holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business. He is married and has two daughters.

Chris has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and as a senior level executive. He has additional experience in client services, cost containment, marketing, sales and quality within diversified financial firms. He was hired with Signator Investors in May 2007 and is currently the President for Signator Investors, Inc.

Prior to that he was the President for Equity Services, Inc. and he also served as the Chief of Broker Dealer Operations with NYLIFE Securities where he worked for nine years.

In 1990, Mr. Maryanopolis obtained his Master of Business Administration from Fordham University and in 1986, his Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at StonyBrook.

In 2007, Chris was responsible for the Operations, Service and Trading areas for Signator Investors. Soon after starting he was given the additional responsibility of President for the Broker Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. Chris set out to transform the business into a world class broker dealer. To increase service to the advisors and clients, he merged the trading and service areas, creating a one stop shop for the calls and service. He upgrading the broker dealer business processing technology, bringing together advisor business held at different financial institutions into one easy to use business system. He introduced many tools and services to the business through the clearing relationship with National Financial to attract more advisors and clients. He has also brought more products to the business to better serve the client’s investing needs and has introduced a sales consultant team to help the advisors with sales ideas and to better navigate the products that are offered. Now the Brokerage Services area and the broker dealer are praised for their high level service, expertise, and product offerings from the Advisors we serve.

Mandated Reporter – Yes; All Persons

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Family Services

Telephone Number – 1-307-358-3138

Mandated Reporter – No; Financial Service Professionals not mandated by statute

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Health and Human Services

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Bank managers and financial managers are mandated by statute

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-202-541-3950

Mandated Reporter – No; Financial Service Professionals not mandated by statute

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Health and Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-352-6513

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Financial Institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 10 days for securities transactions; 5 days for non-securities transactions

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Social and Health Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-737-7931

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but Financial Services Professionals may report suspected financial exploitation to certain local officials or state adult protective services

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-888-832-3858

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any agent, IAR, or person serving in supervisory/compliance/legal capacity for a BD or IA

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 business days

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services       VT Securities Commissioner

Telephone Number – 1-800-564-1612

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; All Persons

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Utah Department of Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-371-7897

Mandated Reporter – Yes; All Persons including employees of financial institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – Yes; Financial Institutions who have submitted a report of suspected financial exploitation may place a hold on the suspicious transaction which will expire 10 business days after such hold

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Family and Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-252-5400

Mandated Reporter – Yes; All Persons including Financial Institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – Yes; Financial Institutions may place a hold on suspicious transactions for 10 business days if the transaction involved the sale or offer to sell a security, or 5 business days for other transactions

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-888-277-8366

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report suspected exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Human Services, Long Term Services & Supports Offices

Telephone Number – 605-773-3165

Mandated Reporter – No; Financial Service Professionals not mandated by statute – however, “[a]ny other person who has actual knowledge that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited shall report the incident…”

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-803-898-7318

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Any Person

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Division of Elderly Affairs

Telephone Number – 1-401-462-0555

Mandated Reporter – Yes; IA or a person serving in supervisory/compliance/legal capacity for a BD or IA

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – Yes; A BD or IA may delay a disbursement up to 15 business days

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Consumer and Business Services and Department of Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-855-503-7233

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any person, including Financial Services Professionals

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-522-3511

Mandated Reporter – Yes; investment advisers, financial planners, CPAs; employees of banks/credit unions are mandatory reporters – effective 9/29/18

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – County Department of Job and Family Services

Telephone Number – 1-855-644-6277

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any agent, IAR, or person serving in supervisory/compliance/legal capacity for a BD or IA

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days

Reporting Contact Info – Vulnerable Adult Protective Services and the Securities Commissioner

Telephone Number – 1-855-462-5465

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Financial Institution, Officer or Employee

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Deparment of Health and Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-662-7030

Mandated Reporter – Yes; banking institutions required to report disbursement holds to adult protective services

Transaction Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 5 days

Reporting Contact Info – Office of Children and Family Services, Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-844-697-3505

Mandated Reporter – Yes; securities professionals are mandated to report suspected financial exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days

Reporting Contact Info – NM Adult Protective Services and Securities Division; also requires disclosure to a designated 3rd party

Telephone Number – 1-866-654-3219

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report suspected exploitation to adult protective services

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-792-8820

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any person suspecting exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Deparment of Health and Human Services Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services

Telephone Number – 1-603-271-7014

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report exploitation if reasonable belief of exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Aging and Disabilty Services Division

Telephone Number – 1-603-271-7014

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report exploitation if reasonable belief of exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Health and Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-652-1999

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report suspected exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-277-9300

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but Financial Service Professionals may report suspected financial exploitation to certain state agencies

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 10 days

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Health and Senior Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-392-0210

Email Address – info@health.mo.gov

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Financial Services Professionals mandated to report

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days

Reporting Contact Info – MS Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging & Adult Services

Telephone Number – 1-844-437-6282

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but Financial Services Professionals may report suspected financial exploitation to certain state officials and third-parties

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 business days

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-882-6262

Email Address – DHS.AdultProtection@state.mn.us

Mandated Reporter – No; Financial Service Professionals not mandated by statute

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-855-444-3911

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report to certain state agencies if reasonable belief that elderly person has suffered from abuse

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Telephone Number – 1-800-922-2275

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Broker-Dealer, IA, Agent, IAR, or person who serves in supervisory/compliance/legal capacity for BD or IA

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days after the disbursement request

Reporting Contact Info – MD Securities Commissioner and the Department of Aging

Telephone Number – 1-800-243-3425

Mandated Reporter – No; Financial Service Professionals not mandated by statute

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Professional and Financial Regulation

Telephone Number – 1-877-624-8551

Mandated Reporter – Yes; all persons required to report exploitation; Financial Services Professionals may report suspected financial exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days

Reporting Contact Info – LA Commissioner of Securities and Department of Health Office of Aging and Adult Services

Telephone Number – 1-833-577-6532

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any person with reasonable cause to suspect abuse shall report

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Telephone Number – 1-877-597-2331

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Officers of Financial Institutions

Reporting Contact Info – Department for Children and Families, Prevention & Protection Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-922-5330

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person, specifically including employees of financial institutions, may report suspected financial exploitation to the state department of human services

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Human Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-362-2178

Mandated Reporter – Yes; includes individuals associated with a broker-dealer or investment adviser who serves in a supervisory, compliance, or legal capacity as part of the individual’s job

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 days unless extended by court order or order of the Securities Commissioner

Reporting Contact Info – Indiana Securities Commissioner and Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-992-6978

Email Address – SeniorProtection@sos.in.gov

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but mandatory reporters include any professional in occupations required to be licensed under the Illinois Public Accounting Act; also any person may report suspected financial exploitation to certain state agencies

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department on Aging

Telephone Number – 1-866-800-1409

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person, specifically including employees of financial institutions, may report suspected exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Commission on Aging

Telephone Number – 1-877-471-2777

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Employees of Financial Institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Telephone Number – 1-808-832-5960

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Employees of Financial Institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services

Telephone Number – 1-866-552-4464

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any person with knowledge or suspicion of abuse, including: bank, savings and loan, or credit union officer, trustee, or employee

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Children & Families, Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-962-2873

Mandated Reporter – Yes; any person, including employees of financial institutions

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 10 business days

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – 1-800-223-9074

Email Address – DelawareADRC@state.de.us

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report suspected exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Social Services

Telephone Number – 1-888-385-4225

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Financial Services Professionals mandated to report

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15-days unless extended by court order

Reporting Contact Info – Commissioner of Securities who shall forward report to Adult Protective Services w/in 2 business days

Telephone Number – 1-720-596-6720

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person who has full or intermittent responsibility for the care or custody of an elder or dependent adult is required to report suspected financial exploitation

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Adult Protective Services

Telephone Number – Contact your local office

Online Reporting

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Employees of Banks or Other Financial Institutions; also includes any agent, investment adviser representative or person who serves in a supervisory, compliance, or legal capacity for a brokerdealer or investment adviser
Transnational Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15-days
Reporting Contact Info – Arkansas Securities Commissioner and Arkansas Securities Commissioner
Telephone Number – 1-800-482-8049
Email Address – aging.services@arkansas.gov

Mandated Reporter – Yes; Financial Services Professionals mandated to report
Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No
Reporting Contact Info – Securities Commissioner and Division of Aging & Adult Services
Telephone Number – 1-877-767-2385

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report exploitation of vulnerable adults
Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No
Reporting Contact Info – Office of Elder Fraud & Assistance
Telephone Number – 1-907-334-5989
Email Address – doa.opa.elder.fraud@alaska.gov

Mandated Reporter – No; but Financial Service Professionals may report suspected financial exploitation
Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – 15 Days
Reporting Contact Info – Alabama Securities Commission and Department of Human Resources (Combined Reporting Form)
Telephone Number – 1-800-458-7214
Email Address – aps@dhr.alabama.gov

Mandated Reporter – No; but any person may report to protective services upon reasonable belief that vulnerable adult needs protective services

Transactional Hold or Delayed Disbursement – No

Reporting Contact Info – Department of Aging

Telephone Number – 1-800-490-8505

Elder Financial Abuse Prevention Toolkit

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Jillian joins FSI with a wide range of experience in communications and public relations, and will serve as FSI’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator. In this role, she will support the marketing team in promoting information to FSI’s members and the public. Prior to joining FSI, she worked at Dewberry, a professional services firm, as a Communications Coordinator.

Jillian is a graduate of Old Dominion University, where she received a Bachelor of the Arts in Journalism.

Director, Political Affairs

Claudia Salinas will serve as FSI’s Political Affairs Director. In this role, she will work closely with the advocacy team to engage FSI’s members with key members of Congress and state legislators.

Prior to joining FSI, Claudia worked for USAA with their political action committee and with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in external affairs. Claudia also, worked on numerous political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels in Texas.

Claudia holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas State University in San Marcos, where she graduated with a Major in English and Mass Communication.

Associate Vice President, Associate General Counsel

Prior to joining FSI, Katanya was Counsel in FINRA’s Litigation and Policy section where she supervised a team of attorneys in providing interpretive guidance to FINRA’s examination staff and its executive leadership. Katanya also processed statutory disqualification (“SD”) applications and litigated matters arising from denied SD applications. Prior to FINRA, Katanya held various positions of escalating responsibility with several broker-dealers, including Deputy General Counsel for a busy proprietary trading firm and Vice-President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary for an interdealer broker. Katanya has also held FINRA series 7 and 24 licenses.

Katanya earned her B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Rochester and her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. She is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Executive Assistant

Andress comes to FSI with a background as an Executive Assistant and a Certified Paralegal.  Prior to joining FSI, Andress worked in the General Counsel’s Office for Children’s National Health System both as an Executive Assistant and Risk Management Paralegal.

Andress attended University of Maryland Baltimore County and Catholic University for her undergraduate studies.

Executive Vice President & General Counsel

David Bellaire works to prevent unintended consequences. As the Financial Services Institute’s executive vice president & general counsel, David leads FSI’s team of lawyers and lobbyists in pursuit of a business environment that frees its member broker-dealers and financial advisors from the unintended consequences of federal and state legislation and regulation. David has more than 25 years of broker-dealer advocacy, compliance, legal, and operations experience. Prior to joining FSI, he served as vice president of operations and general counsel at Securities Service Network, Inc. He also previously served as special investigations attorney and regional compliance manager with InterSecurities, Inc. (now known as Transamerica Financial Advisors), assistant director of compliance at Commonwealth Financial Network, Inc., and assistant to the executive director at the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP). David earned a B.S. in business management from Providence College and a J.D. from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the states of Massachusetts and Tennessee. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time with his wife Sara and their two children.

Senior Vice President, Membership & Marketing

Chris is a veteran of Capitol Hill, spending more than a decade in presidential and congressional campaigns, working as a spokesman and strategic advisor for both U.S. House and Senate leadership offices, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the Bush administration. After directing the communications department for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chris ended his public service as Senior Advisor to former U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio. For the last two years before joining FSI, he served as Senior Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs for the Insured Retirement Institute. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism from The Ohio State University.

Director of Financial Strategies

Craig joins FSI with over 20 years of experience in the Finance and Accounting profession. After beginning his career in public accounting, Craig worked at Nextel Communications, the Internal Revenue Service, and Clark Enterprises, before joining Robert Half Salaried Professional Services (SPS). During his eight years as a consultant with SPS, Craig worked in a diverse set of roles and industries at an experienced or management level. During that time, he worked with not-for-profits in the healthcare, religious, and municipal industries, including Howard University Hospital, Virginia Theological Seminary, and ICMA-RC.

His most recent role was with FSI as interim controller, before joining FSI as a full-time employee in 2014.

Craig graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s in Accountancy from George Washington University, and passed the CPA exam in 1996.

Senior Regulatory Affairs Counsel

Hanna is one of FSI’s Regulatory Affairs Counsel, focusing on federal regulation. Prior to joining FSI, Hanna worked on policy issues related to financial services and health care at a leading government affairs law firm. Additionally, she worked for several years as an E-Discovery attorney during the various phases of class action litigation.

Hanna earned her B.A. in English and French from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and her J.D. from Northern Kentucky University’s Chase College of Law. She is admitted to practice law in Ohio and the District of Columbia.

Director of Legislative Affairs

J. Maurice joins FSI with over 16 years of Washington, DC public policy and government affairs experience. Early in his career he worked for Maryland Governor Parris Glendenning and Senate President Thomas Mike V. Miller. After his State of Maryland experience, he transitioned to Capitol Hill working 5 years for Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick who represented Detroit, Michigan working on her Appropriations committee agenda items.

Upon leaving Capitol Hill he spent 7 years working for three separate boutique lobbying firms including former US Congressman JC Watts’ firm, Watts Partners. While working at the lobbying firms he served as a Senior Associate, Principal, and Partner. Most recently, he spent a year at the United States Department of Labor’s Education and Training Administration in their Office of Policy Development and Research of working on Workforce Innovation.

J. Maurice is a 2000 graduate of Howard University with BBS in Marketing.

Senior Accountant

Jeremy joins FSI with a background in scientific research, IT and accounting. Prior to joining FSI, he worked for seven years as a database programmer at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) followed by working in accounting for a few different for-profit companies. He is also President of the Board of Directors of the Parents Place of Maryland (PPMD), a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower families as advocates and partners in improving education and health outcomes for their children with disabilities and special health care needs.

Jeremy earned his B.A. in Cognitive Science from Northwestern University in 2001 and his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland University College in 2009. He is licensed as a CPA in the state of Maryland.

Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations

Kathryn has 22 years of experience in the financial services industry where she has held private banking, sales and national accounts roles. Currently, Kathryn is responsible for the strategic management of relationships with approximately 100 sponsor companies that partner with FSI. Prior to joining FSI, she spent over 12 years in sales and national accounts for Wells Real Estate Funds where she was responsible for developing strategic relationships with independent broker/dealers and financial institution broker/dealers across the country. At Wachovia Bank, she was a senior relationship banker where she worked with consumers and businesses to proactively capture full client relationships that included deposits, lending, treasury services, and investments. She is a 1996 graduate of the University of North Georgia with a B.S. in Accounting. Kathryn has held the Series 7, 63, Life and health insurance and real estate licenses.

Vice President, Corporate Relations

Kevin is responsible for FSI’s member and sponsor relationships. He entered the financial services industry in 1991 as a financial advisor and obtained the CFP® designation in 1993. Prior to joining FSI in 2007, he was the Director of National Accounts for the AXA Enterprise Funds. He also served AXA Enterprise as Director of College Planning, and acted as product manager of the Texas 529 plan from 2002-2007.

Kevin earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University. In his spare time, he does volunteer work for Reasonable Faith, the Institute of Biblical Leadership, and Cru Albania.

Accounting & Customer Relations Systems Specialist

Matt joins FSI with a background in both research and IT. Prior to coming to FSI he worked doing research for a media company located in Washington, DC and has also previously worked at a healthcare software company.

Matt earned his B.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University in 2013.

Vice President of Meetings, Marketing & Education

Michelle brings more than 20 years of association management experience specializing in events and education to FSI. She has spent her career working for various associations responsible for overall strategy and choreography of various size events. Michelle is credentialed in the meetings industry as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Global Certification in Meeting Management (CMM). She also holds the Business of Meetings Certification (BOM) and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). Michelle is an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and is currently serving as the Conference Attendee Mentor Task Force Chair. She is the Past President of the Potomac Chapter of MPI (PMPI), having served the chapter in a number of leadership roles and is a past recipient of the President’s Award. Michelle is also currently serving on the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau Customer Advisory Board. She received her Bachelors of Science with a minor in Business from Ithaca College, NY.

Vice President, State Affairs

Michelle joins FSI with a wide variety of experience in state government relations. Prior to joining FSI, Michelle worked for Stateside Associates where she assisted clients in their state lobbying and government relation efforts. Ms. Carroll identified, monitored and provided information about viable legislation to clients which help them navigate through the different state legislative processes. Michelle gained her state legislative experience working for a former Virginia State Senator.

Michelle earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from Virginia Union University and her M.P.A from George Mason University.

Director of Corporate Relations & Culture

Nicki joins FSI with a broad range of experience in project management and member services. Prior to joining FSI, Nicki worked at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals as Membership Administrator, where she managed the Association’s 60+ chapter affiliates and special interest groups. Before that, she was a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, providing project management and communications support to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Nicki earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2007.

Meetings & Program Coordinator

Rachel comes to FSI with experience in conferences, events, and office administration. In college, Rachel worked as a Conference Manager for George Mason University’s Office of Housing and Residence Life, coordinating housing logistics for over 25 summer conference and orientation groups. She also worked with Catholic Charities, USA as a Convening and Events Intern, where she was the project lead for their events app selection process, in addition to assisting with their annual conference and regional gatherings. She served in administrative roles at Burdette Smith & Bish, LLC, an accounting firm in Northern Virginia, and at GMU’s Honors College.

Rachel earned her B.S. in Management with a minor in Tourism and Events Management from George Mason University in 2014.

Manager of Business Development and Research

Richard joined FSI after spending 4 years on Capitol Hill handling Financial Services issues for a member of the House Financial Services Committee and the Capital Markets Sub-Committee, which has jurisdiction over both FINRA and the SEC. Prior to Capitol Hill Richard worked in Ernst & Young’s Financial Planning Division, advising clients on a range of personal finance issues. Richard earned a BA in Political Science from Boston College and a Certificate in Financial Planning from NYU.

Vice President, Legislative & Political Affairs

Robert joins FSI with over 10 years of Washington, D.C., experience. He spent four years working on Capitol Hill for Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) on the Senate, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. After Senator Miller’s retirement, Robert joined Financial Executives International as Manager of Government Affairs, focusing on Pension and Retirement issues. He left to attend Catholic Law School and was a Law Clerk for U.S. House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) while in law school. Most recently, Robert was Manager of Federal Affairs for Community Financial Services Association of America.

Robert is a 2001 graduate of Morehouse College with a B.A. in Political Science and 2010 graduate of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

Senior Vice President, Policy & Deputy General Counsel

Robin comes to FSI with over ten years of diverse experience in the financial services industry where she has held legal, compliance and regulatory roles. Most recently, Robin lead a team of regulatory analysts in FINRA’s Office of Fraud Detection and Market Intelligence. Prior to her regulatory experience, Robin worked as the Agency Supervisory Officer for the mid-Atlantic regional office of MML Investors Services where she served as the agency’s Registered Principal. Robin also served as in-house Legal Counsel for the broker-dealer Thrivent Investment Management, where she counseled the firm’s Compliance and Field Force divisions. Robin is a 1998 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida where she received a B.A. in Political Science and a 2002 graduate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is admitted to District of Columbia bar as well as the state bar of Illinois. Robin has held the Series 7, 24, 53, and 66 licenses and was formerly a Certified Fraud Examiner..

State Affairs Manager

Chris comes to FSI’s advocacy team with prior experience in financial public policy and government relations. Before joining the advocacy team covering state affairs, Chris worked in public policy for the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. As an associate with ISDA, Mr. LaRose dealt with legislative and regulatory reform efforts in connection with the Dodd-Frank Act pertaining to the swaps and derivatives markets.

Chris also has previous experience working for political campaigns. He served in the operations department of Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. He also assisted the campaign for Congressman Eric Cantor’s re-election in 2014. Furthermore, Mr. LaRose has prior experience on the Hill as an intern with the office of Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI).

Chris is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce graduating with a B.S. in Commerce concentrating in finance and accounting as well as a minor in politics.

Web Master

Thomas joins FSI with over 16 years of Information Technology and Cyber Security experience. He spent 5 years contracting for government agencies such as DOD, DOT and DOJ. While administering Sharepoint, Alfresco, Vignette, Drupal, WordPress and Joomla platforms, he customized j-query, java and html5 web applications focusing on consistant functionality and security. Thomas has designed and developed security awareness training modules for FAA and DHS using User Interaction technology. He has also designs and devloped mobile apps for Dell and The Smithsonian.

Thomas spent 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Desert Storm and is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.S. in Telecommunications and graduate of the University of Phoenix with a B.S. in Information Technology.

Manager, Accounting & Customer Relations Systems

Wanda comes to FSI with an extensive background in association operations. Prior to joining FSI, Wanda worked at the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) in its membership department, and in a variety of positions at the American Coatings Association (ACA).

Wanda earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations

Brett joins FSI from another 501(c)6 Washington D.C. based association where he served as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations for 6 years. In this role he managed the day-to-day finance and operations, including business and strategic planning, the Board’s finance committee that oversaw budgeting and audits, and several member outreach programs. He was successful in improving internal operating processes, strengthening the balance sheet, and creating a 9 month reserve. Prior to that, Brett worked for a world-wide management consulting firm specializing in transportation, and as a partner or the firm managed several lines of business including financial planning, commercial development, organizational reviews, and preparation of official statements to accompany bond issuances. Brett has over 24 years of business and finance experience. Brett received a B.A. in Economics and Finance from Carleton University.

Director, Marketing & Communications

Allison joins FSI with a broad range of experience in the communications field. Prior to joining FSI, Allison worked at the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) as a Communications & Marketing Specialist. She has also worked as a Weekend Reporter at Lakeshore Public Radio in northwestern Indiana and was the News Director at WVUR-FM from 2008-2010.

Allison graduated with honors from Valparaiso University with a B.A. in Journalism and Political Science in 2010.

President & CEO

Dale E. Brown, CAE, is the founding president and CEO of the Financial Services Institute (FSI).  Established in 2004, FSI is the only organization advocating on behalf of independent financial services firms and their affiliated independent financial advisors. FSI’s mission is to create a healthier regulatory environment for their members through aggressive and effective advocacy, education and public awareness. FSI represents more than 100 independent financial services firm members and their 160,000+ affiliated financial advisors.

Brown brings more than 30 years of association management experience to FSI with broad leadership in government relations and constituent advocacy. He leads FSI’s advocacy strategy, interacting frequently with regulators and policymakers in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining FSI at its launch, Brown guided the government relations, corporate and broker-dealer programs for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP).  Brown led the successful fight in the mid-1990s against the IRS’s attempts to force broker-dealers to re-classify independent contractor representatives as statutory employees.

Brown was named a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 1995. He is a past president of the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE), and a recipient of GSAE’s President’s Award in 1995 and 2001. In May 2002, Brown received GSAE’s highest honor, the Clifford M. Clarke Award, given annually to an association executive who has demonstrated exemplary personal leadership and service to his or her own association, the association community and the general community.

Dale is an elder at Redeemer Church of Arlington, VA. He also serves on the board of Orphan Prevent Community, an Atlanta-based 501(c)3 ministry to at risk families in Guatemala.

Brown has been recognized by Registered Rep magazine as one of “Ten to Watch” in 2005; included in Boomer Market Advisor’s “Forward Thinking Five” in 2006; and was named for nine consecutive years as one of ThinkAdvisor’s 25 most influential individuals in and around the planning profession. He was named by InvestmentNews as one of the Power 20 for 2012.

Brown attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

As President of Kestra Financial, Mr. Poer is dedicated to helping independent financial advisors fulfill client goals through a unique integration of technology and service. Kestra Financial serves independent financial advisory firms with varying business affiliations, including independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) and hybrid advisors.

Mr. Poer joined Kestra Financial in 2003 and has served as President of Kestra Financial since September 2008. Under his leadership, the business experienced unparalleled growth, increasing annual gross revenue by over $209 million in the past seven years. Through his support of the open architecture platform, Mr. Poer continues to position Kestra Financial as a leader in the independent financial services space. Prior to joining Kestra Financial, he held marketing and product development roles for two asset management companies and served as Director of Advisory Services for two AIG RIAs.

Mr. Poer received his Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University and completed the Securities Industry Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School. He served on the advisory boards of the Financial Planning Association and the Investment Management Consultants Association, and is a licensed registered representative holding FINRA Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 licenses.

Seth Miller currently serves as the CEO of Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA). Prior to working with TFA, he served for four years as President of Life Investors Financial Group (LIFG), an AEGON marketing group focused on the middle- and upper-income market, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA. Prior to his role with LIFG, Mr. Miller led AEGON’s Independent Producer Marketing Group, working with various national independent marketing organizations. Mr. Miller’s first position with AEGON was as Director of Business Development for AEGON Direct Marketing Services in Baltimore, MD. He came to AEGON from General Electric, where he graduated from GE’s Financial Management Program and is also a graduate of the University Notre Dame. Mr. Miller is also a retired Captain, United States Air Force Reserve. Mr. Miller, his wife Kelley, and their three young daughters reside in Tampa Bay, FL where they are active in their local school, parish, and United Way.

Shawn McLaughlin serves as president and CEO, McLaughlin Ryder Investments

With more than 30 years of investment experience, Shawn specializes in helping individuals, businesses and associations achieve their investment goals through careful and thorough financial planning. He began his career with a major regional brokerage firm where he spent 20 years building his practice. Shawn has established a reputation for delivering customized retirement plans for both medium and small businesses, as well as not-for-profit organizations and associations.

Shawn holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ (AIF®) designation. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and remains active as a mentor to students in Georgetown’s business school. He also regularly speaks to local honor students through the Alexandria Summer Economic Institute.

Shawn has been active in the Northern Virginia business and civic communities for over 28 years, including serving on the Inova Health System Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of Burke & Herbert Bank, the Board of Visitors of the School of Business at Marymount University. He is also the past chairman of the Inova Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia College Savings Plan (VCSP). In 2014, he was appointed to the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority by Gov. Mark Warner.

In 2003, Shawn helped establish the Alexandria Police Foundation and continues to serve as the foundation’s first Chairman. He also served on the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for over 12 years. Shawn was elected Chairman of the Board of the Chamber in 1994, and was named the 2005 Business Leader of the Year.

Shawn holds Series 7, 9 and 10, 24, 63 and 65 licenses along with his Virginia Life, Health, and Variable Life annuity insurance licenses.

Tony LaJeunesse is the founder of TL Financial Group, an independent financial planning firm where he also serves as president and chief executive officer. His firm, located in Southgate, Michigan, specializes in retirement planning for those who are about to retire or have already retired.

As a full service investment services firm, Tony and his team provide dedicated assistance to helping enrich the lives of individuals, families and business owners at every stage of life. They are committed to providing a superior level of service by developing retirement income strategies that align with their clients’ lifestyle goals and desire for financial independence. Through this commitment many of their client relationships have grown to become cherished friendships and have expanded to encompass multiple generations of the families.

Tony is licensed as a General Securities Represenatative, Investment Advisor Representative and also maintains a life and health insurance license. He is a senior partner and acts as a director on the board for Advantage Financial Group (“AFG”) a privately held partnership that also manages Advantage Investment Management, a wholly owned subsidiary. He serves on many other boards, community councils and is active in his community and charitable organizations.

Kimberly Kropp is owner/partner of Moylan Kropp Retirement Planning in Omaha, NE. She will celebrate her 20th year as an independent business owner in February 2016. She began her financial career in 1982 managing and directing two unique Financial Advisory Services including two different banks in Omaha, Nebraska in the first 14 years of her career. In 1996 she moved on to create the firm Moylan Kropp Retirement Planning which she owns today. She graduated from Wayne State College with a BA in Elementary Education and Learning Disabilities. Since starting her financial career, she has earned designations including the CFP, CHFC, CLU, and CASL. She is insurance licensed and holds the 7, 24, 63, and 65. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association, The National Association of Professional Women, and The Society of Financial Professionals. She serves on the Financial Services Institute Advisory Council, and serves as a board member on the Iowa School for the Deaf and Immanuel Charitable Council Board. Kim is married to her husband Bob and they have one daughter and one son, Chelsea and Andrew. Kim’s greatest passion – people. She loves serving others in the best way possible whether it is on the job or in her free time.

Joe Himelick MSFS, CHFC, CLU, has worked as a Financial Planner with individuals and businesses for over three decades. As the President and Co-Founder of the Himelick Financial Group, the firm’s primary focus is assisting in the realization of their clients financial objectives. The evolution and range of services provided is exemplified by Joe’s average client tenure of over 20 years, and the firm views the financial planning process as a lifelong event that includes multiple dimensions and interrelated parts.

Within the financial services industry, Joe has been engaged in a range of issues that are intended to both improve the client’s experience, while maintaining a lens that is holistic in its view of the clients evolving needs. His peers have referred to Joe as a “thought leader”, while others in the industry describe him as “driven”.

Joe has spoken at multiple national meetings, mentored various advisors and individuals, and provided training to his industry peers as well as those individuals and businesses who are interested in expanding their financial knowledge. He has also served in leadership positions in various industry associations with a keen interest in the regulatory environment.

Joe has been a recognized multiple years by Texas Monthly as a 5 Star Wealth Manager. In a larger sense, Joe appreciates the long term relationships that his clients and their families represent as part of his life.

Bill Dowell serves as Founder & President, Vision Financial Group.

Bill is a graduate of Birmingham- Southern College. After his graduation in 1978 he began his career with Protective Life Insurance Company. In 1983 he was a co-founder and principle of First Financial Center of Birmingham, Inc., serving as its President from 1987-1996. In 1996 Bill formed Vision Financial Group, Inc.

Bill is active in industry and community affairs. He was a Board member of the Birmingham Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors from 1985-1996 and served as its President in 1993 and 1994. He has served on Birmingham-Southern`s Alumni Board since 1980 and was its president from 1990-1992. He is also a charter member of the Endowment Builders Society for Birmingham-Southern. Bill was a board member of the Alabama Planned Giving Council from 1993 to 1999 and served as its President in 1997. He has served in various PTO Board positions at Inverness Elementary, Oak Mountain Middle and Oak Mountain High School. In 2001 Bill was the Shelby County chairperson for the United Way campaign, helping raise over $600,000 for the various agencies of United Way in Shelby County.

Bill and his wife Sandra have been married since 1979 and have two daughters, Logan and Crawford. They attend Asbury United Methodist Church. His hobbies include traveling with family and friends, golf, hunting and fishing.

Finance Chair

As president of Raymond James Financial Services, Mr. Curtis directs Raymond James’ independent contractor and financial institutions businesses that combined include 3,250 retail financial advisors and generate over $1.3 billion in annual revenues. He was promoted to his current position in January 2012 following six years as senior vice president of Raymond James & Associates Private Client Group where he was responsible for directing numerous initiatives focused on revenue growth, margin enhancement, service improvement, and risk mitigation. Scott joined Raymond James in February 2003 as president of Raymond James Insurance Group. Scott spent the prior thirteen years of his career with GE Financial Assurance in a variety of senior leadership roles – including as national sales director for mutual funds and annuities and as president of the firm’s FINRA-registered broker/dealer.

Kent Christian serves as president of Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, where he sets strategic direction for the management, satisfaction, retention and organic growth of Wells Fargo Advisors’ independent financial advisor business.

Kent spent the majority of his professional career at Bank of America Corp., serving in various leadership and management capacities in capital markets, retail securities and private banking for the company and its predecessors. He then moved on to become executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Plan Member Financial Corporation, and then became national sales director at Raymond James Financial Services, where he managed the activities of more than 4,300 independent advisors nationwide. In 2005, he joined Wachovia Securities (now Wells Fargo Advisors) to serve as president of the firm’s Independent Brokerage Group, and, three years later, was asked to lead the Financial Services Group, where he provided executive leadership for the firm’s investment, advisory and banking products, research and advice, as well as the client and FA platform.

Kent is a graduate of Duke University with a degree in Economics and holds Series 7, 24, 53 and 63 registrations.

Kent currently serves as a board member for the Financial Services Institute. He has also served on the executive committee and board of directors for SIFMA. Kent is a prior board member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.

Co-founder of the Capital Investment Companies and has served as an executive officer and principal of the companies since 1984. He has been in the financial services industry since 1982 and graduated from NC State with a BA in Business Management. Richard is married with two children and enjoys traveling, sports, music and cars.

Valerie G. Brown is Executive Chairman, Advisor Group, Inc., one of the nation’s largest networks of independent financial advisors with over 5,000 independent advisors and approximately $160 billion in client assets under management. Advisor Group provides comprehensive broker-dealer services, technology, and advisory programs through its four registered broker-dealers and Registered Investment Advisors: FSC Securities, Royal Alliance Associates, SagePoint Financial, and Woodbury Financial Services. Before assuming her current position, Ms. Brown served as Chief Executive Officer of Cetera Financial Group from the company’s formation in 2010 until its sale in 2014. In 2009 she led the spin out of the Cetera companies from ING to Lightyear Capital. Prior to Cetera, Ms. Brown was chief executive officer of ING Advisors Network, having previously served as its president for five years.

Ms. Brown currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Services Institute. She has previously served on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Board of Directors, the membership and District 7 committees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and the Blackrock Equity/Bond Funds Board of Directors. Ms. Brown has been honored with a number of industry awards. She is actively involved in charitable arts organizations and a member of C200, an invitation-only membership organization of the world’s most successful women business leaders. Ms. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree with high scholarship in chemical engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University.

Adam Antoniades is President of Cetera Financial Group. Prior to this role, Mr. Antoniades was President and CEO of First Allied, where he was instrumental in driving the strategic direction of the firm. As one of First Allied’s founding members, he also spearheaded several strategic acquisitions including the 2002 sale of First Allied to Wells Fargo.

Prior to First Allied, Mr. Antoniades held senior management positions at major financial institutions around the globe including Berkeley Administration Inc., a foreign currency retail trading organization, in Belgium and A. J. Bekhor and Company, an independent financial services company, in the United Kingdom.

Vice Chair

David Knoch, CIMA serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for 1st Global. After joining the company in 2000, Mr. Knoch was promoted to his current role in 2008, with a focus on continuing the growth of the company’s capabilities for its affiliated CPA firms, as well as for the CPA profession as a whole. In his role, Mr. Knoch has direct oversight for 1st Global’s Wealth Management, Consulting, Investment Management, Research, Marketing, Service, Operations and Technology Services organizations. In his life, Mr. Knoch stands for creating better outcomes and fostering in others the courage to do the same.

Mr. Knoch is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and currently serves on the board of its North Texas Chapter. He is also a member of the Financial Services Institute (FSI) and served on its Board of Directors in 2009. Mr. Knoch has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is a Certified Investment Management Analyst professional.

PAC Chair

John came to Commonwealth in 1988, after spending five years as a vice president at Moseley Securities in Boston. Arriving to work in the Product department, he handled mutual funds, partnerships, commodities, variable annuities, qualified plans, and individual issues. Over time, he has helped to engineer the growth of not only the Product department, but also of Commonwealth as a whole. He is relied upon by all parties for his advice and perspective on the direction of the firm.

John opened and now manages Commonwealth’s West Coast office in San Diego. He has been a guest on numerous television shows and nationally syndicated radio programs, and he is regularly called upon for his expertise by the financial industry’s trade publications. John is a graduate of Colby College with a BA in government, and he attended Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program. He also holds FINRA Series 3, 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations.

Immediate Past Chair

President and CEO of Cambridge Investment Research with over 25 years of industry experience, Amy Webber’s commitment to independent rep-advisors is demonstrated in her passion for delivering high level personal service and leading management solutions.

Amy’s personal interest lies with continually refining the independent broker-dealer model to best support the next generation of the financial services industry – including the creation of innovative programs such as the Cambridge Source outsourcing program, Cambridge’s New Century Council group, and the Cambridge Next Step™ internship program. In addition to the next generation, Amy’s profile showcases her passion for supporting women advisors in the financial services industry including the annual Cambridge Women Advisors Forum.

Her executive accomplishments include significant initiatives – such as the current development of WealthPort, Cambridge’s strategic integration of the managed account experience for advisors and their clients; the implementation of an industry-leading social networking pilot program; the introduction of BEST Service Standards and a white-glove Partner Support Center; as well as the ongoing commitment to helping advisors successfully navigate the ever changing regulatory landscape.

Amy’s management expertise includes leadership in compliance, finance, human resources, marketing, operations, service, and technology. In May 2012, she was recognized as a member of the IA25 by Investment Advisor magazine and in 2011, 2010, and 2009 as one of the “Top 50 Women in Wealth Management” by Wealth Manager. Amy holds FINRA Series 79, 24, 6, 62, 63, and 99 licenses.

Chair of the Board

Dean Harman, CFP® has been practicing in the financial services industry since 1994. He operates Harman Wealth Management, Inc. LLC. in The Woodlands, Texas. Harman Wealth Management Inc. LLC. specializes in working with clients who are business owners, executives and sports coaches.

In 2006 Dean purchased Estate Resources, a financial planning, RIA and asset management firm in Houston, Texas, which he merged into Harman Wealth Management Inc. LLC. In 2010 he purchased ETF Plan, Inc., and asset management, RIA firm which also merged into Harman Wealth Management Inc. LLC. He serves on the Advisory Board’s of Genworth Financial , Sagepoint Financial, The Financial Services Institute and The College of Business and Behavioral Sciences at Clemson University .

Dean is regularly quoted in the media and has been featured in: The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Newsweek, Kiplinger’s, Smart Money, CBS Market Watch, Men’s Health, Yahoo Finance, Google Financial News, Retire Smart, The Players Club, The Journal of Financial Planning, Investment News, Investment Advisor, H-Texas and local media. He also had an appearance in the movie Tin Cup.

He is a graduate of Clemson University where he played football from 1987-1991. Following college he had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 and 1993 before starting his career in financial planning.

Immediate Past Chair

Dick has 30 years of experience in the financial services and legal fields. He has served since 2006 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE MKT: LTS), headquartered in Miami, Florida and has been instrumental in guiding that firm’s evolution into a leader in the independent broker dealer and advisory space. Ladenburg engages in independent brokerage and advisory services, investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, asset management services and life insurance brokerage through its principal subsidiaries, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Investacorp, Inc., Triad Advisors, Inc., Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Securities Service Network Inc. and Highland Capital Brokerage Inc., which together have approximately 4,000 financial advisors and approximately $125 billion in client assets.

Dick also serves as Executive Vice President of Vector Group Ltd. (NYSE: VGR), a holding company that is engaged through subsidiaries in the real estate, tobacco and investment businesses, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Castle Brands Inc. (NYSE MKT: ROX), a developer and marketer of premium branded spirits. He is a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., Castle Brands Inc. and Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC. Dick is a member of the Florida Bar and has served as Chairman of its Securities Law Committee.

Previously, Dick was an investment banker at Salomon Brothers Inc, where he was a Managing Director in the Leveraged Finance Group, and a partner and co-chairman of the Corporate Department at the Steel Hector & Davis law firm.