New Hires Bring Legislative and Enforcement Experience

For Release: July 22, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C…July 22, 2008… The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) has added a former state securities enforcement official and an expert in tax policy to its Washington, D.C. team.

David Cohen, a former supervising attorney with the Wisconsin Division of Securities, joined FPA in April.
"David knows state securities regulation from the inside out," said Duane Thompson, the Managing Director of FPA's Washington, D.C. office. "At a time when the regulatory landscape of the entire financial services industry is coming under scrutiny, his expertise will prove invaluable."

Also joining FPA this week is Phillips Hinch, whom most recently was a tax specialist with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his employment at the Chamber, he worked on the tax staff of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

"Whenever we survey our 29,000 members, we always find that tax issues are a bright blip on their radar," said Dan Barry, FPA's Director of Government Relations. "Combine his tax expertise with his contacts on Capitol Hill and we basically have an individual who can help us both shape the message and get it delivered to the right people in Congress."

Both Cohen and Hinch will become registered lobbyists, bringing to four the number of permanent lobbyists that FPA has on staff to serve as advocates for the financial planning profession on Capitol Hill.

-30-