FPA announces passing of CEO, succession plan

With the "deepest sadness and heavy hearts," the Financial Planning Association announced that CEO Patrick D. Mahoney died Saturday after a "long and very brave battle" with cancer.

First diagnosed in 2022, Patrick promptly informed the FPA Board of Directors, the association said in a news release. As treatments progressed, he regularly updated the Board and requested privacy and confidentiality, which the Board agreed to as required by law. As a testament to Patrick's deeply held commitment and belief in the Association's work, he partnered with the Board to develop a robust succession plan to ensure the work would continue uninterrupted.

“When Patrick was hired as interim CEO in May 2020 and later took on the role of full-time CEO in December 2020, he stepped into an organization facing internal and external challenges. He quickly focused on repairing relationships and revitalizing the Association, laying a strong foundation for the future,” stated 2025 FPA President Paul Brahim, CFP®. “As the Association celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we also honor the life of Patrick D. Mahoney and recognize the numerous contributions he has made during the last five years of service. We are now a better and stronger Association thanks to his efforts.”

The succession plan developed by Patrick and the board stated that Dennis Moore, CFP®, FPA’s chief operating officer, would serve as interim CEO while the Association begins its search for a successor.

Moore is a financial planning and business professional who has committed his career to advocating for the financial planning profession. Before joining the FPA staff in 2024, he held various professional positions, including chief operating officer of a financial planning and wealth management firm.

Active in his community and profession, Mr. Moore was elected volunteer president of the Texas Tech University Personal Financial Planning Alumni Advisory Board, the FPA of West Texas, and the FPA of Dallas/Fort Worth. He also served on the FPA Board of Directors for six years and ultimately became president in 2022.

Moore is a certified financial planner professional with a bachelor’s degree in Personal Financial Planning and an MBA from Texas Tech University. He is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program for Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech.

The FPA Board of Directors will convene an Executive Search Committee in the coming weeks to identify FPA’s next full-time chief executive.

“Patrick was a deeply thoughtful and forward-looking executive. In his efforts to revitalize the Association, he prepared it for the next 25 years by working closely with the Board to develop a robust strategic plan that positions FPA as the leading membership organization and trade association for financial planners, with the goal of ‘elevating the profession that transforms lives through the power of financial planning.’ Today, we are a stronger Association, well-positioned for continuous growth and success, thanks to Patrick’s tireless efforts and advocacy for FPA and the profession,” added Brahim.

Out of respect for Patrick and his family, the release said the FPA will not provide any further comments on his battle with cancer.