Leitz elected NAPFA national chair

The new chairman of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors wants to make the organization the home for the growing number of advisers who are migrating to the RIA sector. NAPFA announced today that Linda Leitz, co-owner and founder of the financial planning firm It's Not Just Money Inc., has been selected as its national chairman for the next year. Her term began on Sept. 1 and will continue through Aug. 31, 2014. Ms. Leitz said that NAPFA's emphasis on fee-only advice that is in a client's best interest positions it well for the way that the market is evolving, as more and more brokers make the transition to being investment advisers. “We see NAPFA as their community where they can learn how to do a fee-only-fiduciary comprehensive approach to financial advice,” Ms. Leitz said. Another priority for Ms. Leitz is to develop subgroups within NAPFA that will help its approximately 2,400 members connect with those who have similar practice models or at the same stage of their careers. For instance, any NAPFA member who is 33 or younger becomes part of NAPFA Genesis, an initiative aimed at young advisers. The organization's database also helps solo practitioners connect with one another. “These people can find each other easier within the way we're setting this up,” Ms. Leitz said. She also wants to enhance NAPFA's educational offerings and strengthen the conference experience for members. Ms. Leitz, who is a certified financial planner and a certified divorce analyst based in Colorado Springs, Colo., has served as a state bank examiner, banker, an investment registered representative and a branch manager. She takes over as chairman from Lauren Locker.