FINANCIAL PLANNING ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships
Job Titles:
- Chief Communications Officer
- Member of the OneFPA Advisory Council Executive Committee
- Communications
- S Chief Communications Officer
Ben Lewis, FPA's Chief Communications Officer, is standing by and ready to help you in your reporting.
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Member of Committee
Carl is Senior Advisor, Charitable Estate Planning at the American Heart Association where he specializes in charitable estate planning utilizing contributions of appreciated non-cash assets, such as real estate, stocks, mutual funds, life insurance, and mineral interests to fund bequests, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder and lead trusts.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death of men and women in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, and responsible for covering ten western states, Carl's focus is creating awareness of the important mission of American Heart Association by nurturing relationships with wealth advisers and estate planning attorneys as a knowledgable resource of charitable giving, income and tax planning strategies for clients who are philanthropically inclined and want to fund solutions.
Prior to joining American Heart Association, Carl worked in higher education fundraising at UCLA, California State University, Long Beach and also practiced law. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Juris Doctorate from University of West Los Angeles School of Law. He is an active member of State Bar of California, and FPA of San Gabriel Valley in Pasadena, CA.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Diversity & Inclusion
Job Titles:
- Financial Adviser
- Director of Advocacy for the FPA of Northern California
Kane has been a financial adviser since 1985, when she started her career with Merrill Lynch. As an independent advisor with Raymond James Financial Services and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Kane specializes in helping clients improve their financial future as they transition through divorce.
Kane is the Director of Advocacy for the FPA of Northern California, and sits on the FPA of California coalition of California chapters. Kane previously served on the Board of Investments and Wealth Institute (formerly IMCA) and has served in a variety of community leadership positions, currently serving as Treasurer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of El Dorado County.
Job Titles:
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
Crystal Alford-Cooper, CFP®, CDFA™, CRC®, currently serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.
Always interested as a child in saving and investments, Alford-Cooper recently rejoined Law & Associates Wealth Management and Planning as Director of Financial Planning after previously being with the firm for almost 20 years. She loves talking to everyone and likes to say that she has "no sense of stranger danger." Her appreciation for others, blended with her lifelong passion for financial wellness, has made helping others forge a path to a sound financial future a way of life for Alford-Cooper.
Alford-Cooper has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner since 1996; having graduated from the College of Financial Planning's CFP® program. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and a Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC®). She is a registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and holds the designation of Investment Management Consultant from Raymond James' Institute of Investment Management Consulting (IIMC). She holds a Maryland license for life, health and variable life insurance. She also has held an adjunct faculty position at Howard Community College.
Alford-Cooper has served in several key leadership roles. Her previous board volunteer involvement includes the CFP Board Council on Education (Committee Member), Financial Planning Association of Maryland (Chair 2018), Association of African American Financial Advisors (Past President) and Howard County Police Foundation (Director). Alford-Cooper is also a graduate of Leadership Howard County's Leadership Premier program and a women's ministry team leader for her church in Columbia.
Raised by a phenomenal single Mom, Alford-Cooper remains inspired and proudly carries on her Mom's legacy - her love for family. She loves spending time with her husband and best friend, Dennis. Both are proud parents to a son serving in the United States Navy.
Job Titles:
- Founder of Daniel J. Galli & Associates
Dan Galli, CFP®, currently serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.
Galli is founder of Daniel J. Galli & Associates and began his financial services career over 30 years ago following a successful career as a public-school teacher. His practice includes a wide range of advisory services including investment management and financial planning. Galli focuses on retirement planning for professionals, small business owners, teachers, and other individuals. He designs qualified retirement plans with a focus on maximizing savings and reducing taxes. He is a registered representative and investment advisory associate of Ameritas Investment Company, LLC and Ameritas Advisory Services with FINRA Series 7, 63, 66, and 24 registrations.
From 1997 to 2005, he served as an adjunct faculty member on the staff of Northeastern University in Boston, teaching courses in their CFP® program on Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits as well as Insurance and Financial Planning. In 2005, he became a guest lecturer at Boston University, teaching Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits. Galli has also taught the Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits portion of the Kaplan/Bisys/BU Review for the CFP® Comprehensive Examination. He also updates Boston University's on-line Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits course as tax laws, regulations and limits are changed.
Galli is a long-time member of the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts and has served on several committees, the Board of Directors, and as President for two years. He was named Financial Planner of the Year in 2017.
Galli holds a B.S. from Boston University and an M.Ed from Bridgewater State College. He taught at Hatherly School in Scituate, Massachusetts for 11 years prior to beginning his financial services career. Dan is also a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) as well as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
Galli lives in Marshfield, Mass., with his wife Louise and has two grown children, Michael and Lauren.
Dennis J. Moore, MBA, CFP® currently serves as the volunteer president of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.
Moore is vice president of operations for Dallas-based Mercer Advisors where he leads the firm's operations and works closely with the wealth advisors to set the strategic direction of the firm. In addition to operations, he manages personnel, technology and financial initiatives that best support the firm's clients and growth.
With a passion for financial planning, Moore volunteers his time to assist young financial planning professionals in their career growth. He mentors young planners and has served as chair of the Mentor Committee for the Texas Tech University Personal Financial Planning Alumni Advisory Board. Moore has also served on the board of directors of the Financial Planning Association of Dallas/Ft. Worth from 2010 to 2016 and has been on several national FPA committees over the years, including the OneFPA Advisory Group, the FPA Alliance Forum, and as chair of the Pro Bono Advisory Committee.
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Moore received his Bachelor of Science in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University where he also earned a Master of Business Administration.
Job Titles:
- Director, Member Engagement
- Membership
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the OneFPA Resource Coordination Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the OneFPA Advisory Council Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Financial Advisor Business Coach and Consultant
George Fernández, MBA, CPBC, CFP®, currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those who support the financial planning process.
With more than 22 years of experience in financial planning, Fernández is a Financial Advisor Business Coach and Consultant in Overland Park, Kan., specializing in helping advisors build successful practices.
Fernández has held numerous volunteer positions within FPA and the FPA of Greater Kansas City, including CLC Development Committee member, OneFPA Transition Task Force member, and president and chair of the board of directors for his local chapter.
Fernández received his Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.
Fernández's experience as a member, volunteer, financial planning practitioner, and corporate leader in the financial planning profession provides a unique perspective that can help lead FPA into a new and bright future.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Member of the OneFPA Advisory Council Executive Committee
- Executive Committee Representatives
Job Titles:
- Member of the OneFPA Advisory Council Executive Committee
Job Titles:
- Diversity Scholarship Lead
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of Financial Planning at Ashton Thomas Private Wealth
Karen McDade, CFP®, AIF®, CDFA®, currently serves as the board of directors of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those who support the financial planning process.
McDade is the Director of Financial Planning at Ashton Thomas Private Wealth in Scottsdale, Ariz. and is inspired by helping her clients discover and reach their goals. Named a "Five Star Wealth Manager" by Phoenix Magazine and with more than 25 years as an independent adviser, McDade maintains a high level of technical and professional knowledge and is dedicated to her clients' success.
With a commitment to supporting community efforts, McDade served on the FPA of Greater Phoenix Advocacy and Pro Bono Committees. She also is the Financial Literacy Board for the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council.
A second generation CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, McDade received a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Consulting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Job Titles:
- Board Member Focused on C - Level Projects )
- Founder & President of Omega Wealth Management
- Member of Committee
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Secretary
- Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Planning Association
Patrick D. Mahoney is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Planning Association. He is an experienced CEO, business leader, and strategist with a background across diverse organizations in the financial services, technology, and mission-based sectors. He is recognized for building and mentoring diverse teams and creating growth strategies that integrate the passion and expertise of an organization's members, volunteer leaders, and staff to meet its goals and mission.
Mr. Mahoney's career began in product development and management in the U.S. and Asia, later evolving to sales, marketing, and general management. He has held executive leadership positions with breakthrough global organizations embracing membership value, innovation, growth, and change management, such as the Financial Planning Association, IEEE, and S&P Global Ratings.
As an Independent Director and member of McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union's Merger & Acquisition Committee, Mr. Mahoney helped lead its 2019 merger with Pentagon Federal Credit Union. Prior board service includes PenFed's New York City Advisory Board and the Enders Island Board of Trustees.
An innovative and strategic problem solver, Mr. Mahoney is the holder of four patents in the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Paul has truly lived the American Dream-beginning his career in financial services with no formal training and raising through the ranks to hold prestigious positions like CEO of BPU Investments. As an advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group, Paul uses his financial planning, investment management and business skills to work with CEOs on their retirement and succession plans. He also provides guidance with regard to their employee retirement and financial wellness programs. He is very active in his community with organizations like the Heritage Community Initiative, the Navy Seal Foundation and the Financial Planning Association. He has also acted as an expert witness for a variety of legal cases. Paul stays active by swimming, biking and running; as well as tackling Colorado's famous fourteeners.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Financial Services
Claudia Kane, CFP®, CIMA, CPWA®, ADPA®, CDFA® currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the principal membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those who support the financial planning process.
Kane received her Bachelor's degree from Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland and studied at the Wharton School and the Booth School to earn her CIMA® and CPWA® credentials.
Kane is an avid golfer, sculler and is a U.S. Rowing Referee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the OneFPA Resource Coordination Committee