Atlanta (Feb. 5, 2004) -- As part of efforts to expand its advocacy program, the Financial Planning Association has named veteran lobbyist Neil A. Simon as director of government relations and counsel in its Washington office.
Simon will supervise the 28,000-member association’s lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and in the 50 states. In that role, he will be responsible for developing the FPA positions on federal and state policy affecting financial planners and representing the FPA before the Congress and executive agencies.
Duane R. Thompson, who has directed the FPA’s government relations efforts for the past four years, has been named group advocacy director. In his new role, Thompson will supervise the FPA’s overall advocacy program, including government relations, from the Washington office.
“Neil brings many years of association and lobbying experience in Washington to the FPA, and will help advance the FPA’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the financial planning profession,” Marvin W. Tuttle Jr., executive director, said of the move. “This restructuring allows the FPA to take advantage of Duane’s public affairs background and to coordinate more effectively the FPA’s outreach to the public and within the broader financial planning community.”
Prior to joining the FPA, Simon served for five years as executive director of the National Franchise Council, where he was responsible for legal and public affairs strategy. He previously served as counsel in the law firm Hogan & Hartson LLP and as a legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives.
-- WebCPA staff
