NAPFA Appoints New CEO Geoffrey Brown

By Cyril Tuohy

InsuranceNewsNet

Geoffrey Brown, an expert in managing nonprofit groups and trade associations, has been appointed chief executive officer of National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), effective July 1.

He succeeds long-time CEO Ellen Turf, who led the 2,500-member organization for more than 20 years.

Brown, who will be charged with growing NAPFA membership, will work closely with NAPFA’s board of directors to map out the organization’s long-term future. He said he was looking forward to advancing NAPFA’s “consumer-focused” mission.

“NAPFA’s commitment to supporting financial advisors who serve their clients’ best interests first and foremost position it as a leader in the financial services industry,” Brown said in a prepared statement. “I’m very much looking forward to leading such a quality-driven and ethically strong organization.”

NAPFA, based in Arlington Heights, Ill., turns 30 this year. It distinguishes itself from other financial advisory groups in that it represents fee-only advisors, not commission-based advisors. Fee-only advisors are best positioned to represent clients, according to NAPFA, because they have no incentive to steer clients toward one fund versus another.

Brown, who will be available for interviews next month, previously was an executive with Chicago-based Sentergroup Inc., where he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of several client associations.

He currently serves as the executive director at The Giving Institute and Giving USA Foundation, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Before working at Sentergroup, he served as association manager for SmithBucklin Corp., an association management company, and worked at International Nortel Networks User Association and the North-American Interfraternity Conference and Foundation.

“The strategic drive and extensive association management experience that Geof brings to NAPFA will result in higher visibility, broader outreach and greater stakeholder engagement,” Lauren Locker, chairwoman of NAPFA, said in a statement.

Locker also said Brown’s “energy and passion is exactly what this organization needs” to further advance the interests of the fee-only profession.

Cyril Tuohy is a writer based in Pennsylvania. He has covered the financial services industry for more than 15 years. He can be reached at Cyril.Tuohy@innfeedback.com.

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Cyril Tuohy is a writer based in Pennsylvania. He has covered the financial services industry for more than 15 years. He can be reached at cyril.tuohy@innfeedback.com.