Inside, you'll find exciting updates, informative articles, and details about upcoming events happening throughout our community. Whether you're looking to stay informed, discover new opportunities to get involved, or keep up with what's happening, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying connected, engaged, and inspired.

Congratulations to the FPA Dallas/Fort Worth members and firms who were nominated and recognized by D Magazine as 2026 Best Financial Planners & Top Wealth Managers.

This distinguished honor is a testament to your unwavering commitment to professional excellence, the highest ethical standards, and the trusted relationships you build with your clients every day. Your dedication to advancing the financial planning profession and making a meaningful impact in the communities you serve is truly commendable.



On behalf of FPA Dallas/Fort Worth, we are proud to celebrate your success and this well-deserved achievement. Congratulations to all of this year's honorees!

The all-new FPA PlannerSearch® is now available!

These days, people don't look for a financial planner using their ZIP code; instead, they enter their specific situation into a search bar or ask an AI assistant the same question. For example, they might look for someone who works with families with children with special needs, someone who can help them sell a business, or a planner who helps with first-generation wealth.

Static directories were never designed to handle that. That is exactly what PlannerSearch® was rebuilt to do.

PlannerSearch® matches consumers with CFP® professionals according to their goals, life events, and decision-making style, not based on proximity or account minimums.

Don't Miss It—Save the Date for the 2027 FPA DFW Conference

Honoring Excellence in Financial Planning

Join us in celebrating the outstanding professionals who make a lasting impact on the financial planning profession and our community. Congratulations to the 2026 FPA DFW Honors Awards Recipients! Their dedication, leadership, service, and commitment to excellence continue to elevate our profession and inspire others. We look forward to recognizing these exceptional individuals at the 23rd Annual FPA DFW Honors Awards Banquet on October 6 as we celebrate their remarkable achievements.

Honors Awards Recipient

Dr. Jared Pickens, CFP® I Texas Tech University

Chairman's Award Recipient

Dorothy B. Durband, Ph.D., CFP® I Texas Tech University

Young Guns Award

Madison Wallace, CFP® I BentOak Capital

What is Virtual Career Week?

Our mission is to help candidates get employment opportunities to further their career goals and, at the same time, help employers find their next Star to add value to their firm. In recent years, it has been a challenge for students to travel to DFW for a full-day event during the middle of the semester. To ensure we are providing ample opportunities for our members to connect with quality applicants, we have decided to shift our career hiring event this year to a virtual format. We will provide our members with resume books for full-time and/or internship candidates. As a participating hiring firm, you will have the flexibility to schedule your own interviews directly with the candidates to be held during our Career Week of Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 6.

Would you like to interview potential candidates? Use this link to complete the registration page no later than Wednesday, October 28.

If you're still undecided about signing up for FPA SUMMIT 2026, here's the little push you need. Keith Ferrazzi — author of Never Eat Alone, the #1 New York Times bestseller, and founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight — will close our program on November 11 at Gaylord National Harbor with a talk that will change the way you think about leadership. Having revolutionized professional networking twenty years ago, Ferrazzi is now returning with his newest paradigm-shifting idea: Never Lead Alone. It’s a new, research-supported method of leading in a world where connectedness isn't merely an advantage but is, in fact, everything. You'll be quoting this kind of keynote for years to come. Secure your spot today.

Highlight Your Pro Bono Impact with FPA DFW

Every year, FPA chapters and members provide thousands of hours of one-on-one, no-strings-attached pro bono financial planning advice to thousands of consumers across the country. Their efforts have been a staple of the Association since 2001.

We are reaching out to all FPA members who have made a meaningful difference in our community through their pro bono efforts and volunteer work. Your contributions are invaluable, and we want to hear about the impactful or rewarding activities you have participated in. Each year, we compile and report the total hours our members dedicate to pro bono initiatives to the national FPA office, showcasing the collective impact of our organization. If you have engaged in any volunteerism or pro bono projects, please share your experiences with us. Your stories not only inspire others but also highlight the importance of giving back to the community. Let’s celebrate the spirit of service among our members!

Staying ahead in the business world is crucial for success, and what better way to do that than by gaining insights from reputable authorities? By bookmarking the FPA Business Hub, you'll gain access to a wealth of knowledge to help you stay informed and make better decisions for your business. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve. Visit www.fpahub.org today and start taking your business to the next level!

Most financial planners know they should be building their media presence. Very few know how to do it, or where to start. In this episode of FPA LIVE, we're joined by Jeff Judge of Chesapeake Financial Planners, an FPA member who has turned his participation in FPA MediaSource into something most financial planners only dream about. In just three months, Jeff has been quoted in 97 articles across 23 media outlets, including MarketWatch, CNBC, Barron's, Bloomberg, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Reuters, among others. We talk about how he got started, how he approaches the media queries that come in, how he's leveraging the exposure to build his practice, and what the real ROI looks like for a planner who commits to showing up. If you've ever wondered whether FPA MediaSource is worth your time, Jeff's answer is hard to argue with.

View the FPA LIVE video

Welcome Our Newest FPA Dallas/Fort Worth Members

We are proud to announce and warmly welcome our newest members to the FPA Dallas/Fort Worth community! Your decision to join us marks the beginning of an exciting journey together, filled with opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration. As part of our organization, you will have access to a wealth of resources, events, and a supportive community of financial planning professionals. We encourage you to get involved, participate in our upcoming events, and connect with fellow members. Together, we can continue to advance the financial planning profession and make a positive impact in our community. Welcome!

We are pleased to announce that we are celebrating the following member *anniversaries during September & October! We appreciate your loyalty and support, and we want to recognize your commitment to the Financial Planning Association. Thank you for being a part of our chapter. We look forward to many more years of success together.

Mark Bass, CFP®, CPA, AIF® I 51 YRS

Pennington, Bass & Associates

Bill Perryman, CPA, CFP® I 43 YRS

Perryman Financial Advisory

E. Kim Dignum, CFP® I 36 YRS

Dignum Financial Partners

Michael Evans, CFP®, CSA I 29 YRS

Legacy Group

Greg Krewson I 29 YRS


Oscar Barr, CFP® I 28 YRS

Barr Financial Group

Bryan Clintsman, CFP® I 28 YRS

Focus Partners Wealth

Dottie Durband, Ph.D., AFC® I 28 YRS

Texas Tech University

Ricky Grunden, CFP® I 27 YRS

Grunden Financial Advisory

Melissa Brennan, CFP® I 26 YRS

ARS Private Wealth


Cyndy Montgomery, CFP®, CPA I 26 YRS

Strata Wealth Advisors

Monte Ferguson, CFP®, ChFC®, AIF® I 24 YRS

Pivotal Financial Advisors, LLC

Jimmy Perryman, CFP® I 24 YRS

Perryman Financial Advisory

Chandler Ferguson, CFP® I 21 YRS

Mercer Advisors

Nic Gibson, CFP® I 20 YRS

Lee Financial

Eric Schuster I 20 YRS

First Command Financial Planning



Susan Sylvest, AIF® I 15 YRS

Murphy & Sylvest Wealth Management



Anne Holland, CFP® I 10 YRS



Bob Lamb, CFP® I 10 YRS

FORVIS Financial Advisors

Jordan Puskos, CFP® I 10 YRS

Jeff Sears, CFP® I 10 YRS

Fondren Oaks Capital Management

Nidhi Talati, CFP® I 10 YRS

First Command Financial Planning

Steve Cecil, CFP® I 5 YRS

Cecil & Eady Investments

John Hetzel, CFP® I 5 YRS

Richard Tyler, CFP® I 5 YRS

*Anniversaries are listed in 5 year increments with the exception of 20 years and higher which will be listed by year.

Job Seekers

Take the first step and update your resume/CV on the FPA of DFW Career Center

Here are 3 reasons why you should update your resume/CV even if you're not actively looking for a job.

1. Capture achievements while they're fresh

2. Be ready for unexpected opportunities

3. Reflect on career progress and goals

Employers

The FPA of DFW Career Center will help you reach a targeted audience of highly qualified candidates with the skills and certifications you are looking for.

Hot Tips:

• Let us know if you post a job and we will link it on our website - free member benefit!
• You can also browse resumes from potential candidates (we have some live now!)