Honoring a Legacy and Embracing Our Future
As you are aware, Patrick Mahoney, FPA’s chief executive since 2020, passed away on February 1 following a long, courageous battle with cancer. Like you and the rest of the financial planning community, we were heartbroken. Patrick left a lasting impact on FPA and our work in the years ahead.
As FPA President Paul Brahim, CFP®, said in his communication to FPA members on February 4, “His (Patrick’s) passion for our Association's mission transformed him from a chief executive into a tireless advocate.” I saw his belief in the profession and the importance of the work financial planners do for their clients, and it was an honor to work alongside Patrick, advocating for this great profession both as a Board member and then as Chief Operating Officer. While I will always appreciate Patrick's leadership and stewardship of the Association, I also appreciate his friendship. I got to know him well over the last five years and am grateful for all he did for FPA.
As I reflect on Patrick’s tenure at FPA, his steadiness stands out. When he became our interim CEO in 2020 and later our full-time CEO, he entered an organization facing several headwinds. A lot was thrown at him, but he remained steady and calm as he worked with our professional staff and Board of Directors to address those challenges and set FPA on a course for a more prosperous future.
Now, I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as the interim CEO, pick up where Patrick left off, and continue moving the Association forward in close collaboration with our national and local volunteer leaders and professional staff.
FPA has been a major part of my career, beginning in college at Texas Tech University. I was a member of our FPA student group at Texas Tech, where I served as the group’s president. In college, I attended my first FPA conference and developed an appreciation for the profession and what makes FPA so special. I saw firsthand the strong sense of community and its value to the members' lives and, in turn, the impact financial planning could have on consumers and society. I just knew I wanted to be a part of it and help position FPA as a leader in building the financial planning profession.
Later, I became president of the FPA of West Texas, then president of the FPA of Dallas/Fort Worth, and, ultimately, the FPA Board of Directors, where I served as president in 2022. FPA has played an instrumental role in my career.
Our immediate focus.
The most immediate focus is executing the long-term strategic plan that the Board of Directors finalized in December 2023. While we will need to execute other operational and programmatic initiatives in the short term to continue supporting our members and chapters, the strategic plan will set the Association up for long-term success.
The Board of Directors invested considerable time and energy in developing the strategic plan. Now, as a member of the professional staff tasked with implementing the plan, I have the exciting opportunity to partner with our team and all within the FPA ecosystem to bring the vision to reality. As we work through the first three-year implementation plan, I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and how our efforts are making FPA a stronger, more impactful organization for you.
As for where we stand today on the plan’s implementation, 2024 focused on research and analysis to lay a foundation for the work that needs to be done over the next two years. The plan set out a bold vision for where we want the Association to be in 2034, so the efforts of the past year will set us up for success in evolving our practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking service lines and the many programs and offerings you enjoy as part of your membership.
As a long-time FPA member and past chapter and national volunteer leader, I want to emphasize the importance of collaboration and partnership. All members, chapter leaders, national volunteers, and professional staff have a role to play in the Association's success. Your feedback and input are vital, and it's essential that we work together toward the common goal of making FPA the vibrant, relevant, and impactful Association we want it to be.
In case you missed it.
- While registration has officially closed for FPA Retreat 2025, there is still plenty of time to join us at FPA NexGen Gathering 2025 in Orlando (August 26-28) and FPA Annual Conference 2025 in Las Vegas (November 3-5)! With 2025 being FPA’s 25th anniversary, all our events will be an opportunity to gather and reflect on our Association’s treasured history and envision our collective efforts to lead the financial planning profession in the years ahead. I hope to see you all at these terrific events this year!
- FPA is pleased to partner with our friends at Dimensional Fund Advisors to help our members take their practices to the next level with the Global Client Experience Study, exclusively available to FPA members and powered by Dimensional. This customizable tool helps you understand what your clients value most, measure their satisfaction, and assess their willingness to refer your services—all at no cost. Participating lets you gain actionable insights to enhance client relationships, improve efficiency, and identify new growth opportunities.
- Speaking of client experience, FPA has partnered with Julie Littlechild and Absolute Engagement to make the Absolute Engagement Engine available to FPA members at a discounted rate. The platform allows you to differentiate the prospect experience, drive deeper conversations, measure the quality of relationships, and uncover referral opportunities through a single platform. FPA members can enjoy an exclusive 20% discount on this terrific platform.
- For FPA’s 25th anniversary, we’re celebrating by giving back! Join the ‘25 in 2025’ Financial Wellness Pledge and dedicate 25 hours this year to provide free financial planning and education to individuals and families who need it most. We can empower communities, transform lives, and make financial planning accessible. Opportunities await through your local chapter, national programs, or online resources. Let’s make 2025 a year of purpose and impact!
Thank you for all you do for your clients, the Association, and the profession. On behalf of the entire professional staff, thank you for making FPA your professional home and allowing us to be your partner in planning.
Sincerely,
