CFP Board Names Kevin R. Keller, CAE, as Its CEO

Keller to Lead CFP Board Transition to the Nation's Capital and Drive the Mission to Serve the American Public.

DENVER, April 18, 2007 - Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board), the professional regulatory body for the almost 55,000 professionals holding CFP® certification, announced today that it has named Kevin R. Keller, CAE, as its chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2007. He replaces Don I. Tharpe, Ph.D., who has served as interim CEO since November 2006.

Mr. Keller comes to CFP Board with considerable organizational management expertise, particularly in the area of certifications for financial professionals. Previously, Mr. Keller served for 16 years at the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) and served for the last seven years as senior vice president and chief operating officer. At AFP, Mr. Keller had management responsibility for programs and services for the 16,000-member organization. He led the organization's strategic planning process and enhanced and grew the Certified Treasury Professional credential.

"The Board of Directors in its search sought out the best combination of leadership and experience that would take the organization to the next phase in its development. In Kevin Keller, we discovered that and more," said Karen P. Schaeffer, CFP®, Chair of CFP Board's Board of Directors.

"Kevin possesses tremendous expertise and vision that will contribute greatly to CFP Board and those it serves as the organization approaches this critical juncture in its 22-year history," said Ms. Schaeffer.

In his new role, Mr. Keller will provide leadership to the 40 CFP Board staff members. He will also strengthen ties with the organization's sister associations, ensure that CFP® certification remains the professional standard amidst the changes occurring in the financial planning profession, and serve as a resource for the almost 55,000 CFP® certificants in the U.S. He plans to take an active role in the organization's efforts to increase the status, visibility, respect and credibility of the CFP® marks.

"I am looking forward to working in partnership with the leadership of CFP Board to realize the organization's mission of delivering competent and ethical financial planning to the public," said Mr. Keller. "CFP Board is a dynamic organization that has done great work. The CFP® certification enjoys an excellent reputation among the public, those within the profession and the credentialing community, and I'm enthusiastic about the opportunity to build on the organization's work in this regard."

CFP Board recently announced it would transition its operations to Washington, D.C. from its current location of Denver, Colorado. The move will solidify the organization's plan to have a more influential voice in public policy debates, and better serve the American public at a time when it is faced with a an ever-broadening array of financial planning challenges and options.

"Kevin has a unique set of skills that will help keep CFP Board relevant and ensure the standards of the CFP® marks," Ms. Schaeffer said. "The Board of Directors would also like to extend its appreciation to Don Tharpe for providing CFP Board with much-needed leadership during a time of considerable change."

Mr. Tharpe is a principal at Transition Management Consulting, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in providing interim management and executive transition services for non-profit associations. Mr. Tharpe has agreed to extend his engagement to serve as a member of the transition team as the organization relocates to the nation's capital.

Prior to joining AFP in 1990, Mr. Keller held senior staff positions at several associations. He has a B.S. and an M.S., both from the Ohio State University. Keller earned his Certified Association Executive credential in 2000.

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to help people benefit from competent, professional and ethical financial planning. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 54,000 individuals to use these marks in the United States.

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Javier E. David
The Global Consulting Group
P: 646-284-9450
E: jdavid@hfgcg.com