FSI Announces 2024 Advocacy Circle of Excellence Honorees and Stephen R. Kareta Excellence in Advocacy Winners

FSI's annual award program recognizes members for outstanding advocacy engagement on behalf of the independent financial services industry and Main Street investors

Washington, D.C.-Today, the Financial Services Institute (FSI), the leading advocacy organization for the independent financial services industry, announced the honorees of its annual advocacy awards program. FSI's advocacy awards recognize members who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to FSI's advocacy mission, advancing the interests of Main Street American investors and the independent financial services industry.

"We are proud to honor these distinguished members in this year's Circle of Excellence," said FSI President and CEO Dale Brown. "Through their work and engagement, these honorees have made a lasting impact in the industry, ensuring Main Street Americans have access to professional and affordable financial advice, products and services. They have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission and advocacy priorities, which has greatly contributed to two decades of successful advocacy for independent financial advisors and firms."

Nineteen members were named to FSI's 2024 Advocacy Circle of Excellence, with three of those honorees receiving the 2024 Stephen R. Kareta Excellence in Advocacy Award.

The Stephen R. Kareta award recognizes those who go above and beyond in their efforts to protect and advance the interests of their clients, colleagues and Main Street American investors. The recipients of the 2024 Stephen R. Kareta Award are:

• Mike Pedlow, Executive Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Kestra Financial

• Frank Tauches, Supervising Principal, American Portfolios Financial Services

• Matthew Watts, Senior Vice President, Raymond James Financial Services

These members set a gold standard for advocacy achievement, creating a lasting impact in their communities. Their accomplishments comprise of building professional and constructive relationships with elected officials and working to engage other FSI members.

In addition to the Pedlow, Tauches and Watts, the honorees named to the 2024 FSI Advocacy Circle of Excellence are:

• Larry Casey, First Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.

• Virginia Cook, Senior Vice President, Compliance Officer, PFS Investments Inc.

• Fred Dawson, President, Dawson Wealth Management LLC

• Ted Ferik, Senior Investment Analyst, Avantax Wealth Management

• David Flippo, Financial Advisor, First Command Financial Services

• Steven Flax, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Lincoln Investment

• Sunday Grace, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, First Command Financial Services

• Veronica Hammond, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, First Command Financial Services

• Matt Kinsella, Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Ameritas Investment Company, LLC

• Mary Kusske, Managing Director - Senior Advisor, Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors, LLC

• Ruth Matt, Founder and CEO, Fore River Financial

• Patricia McCallop, Chief Compliance Officer, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC and Cetera Advisors LLC

• Hilary Pluemer, Chief Administrative Officer, Prospera Financial Services, Inc.

• Angela Renna, President, Sterling Financial Group, LLC

• Shawn Scholz, Head of Compliance & Chief Compliance Officer, AE Wealth Management, LLC

• Wendy Simmons, Managing Director, Human Resources, Prospera Financial Services

Members named to the FSI Advocacy Circle of Excellence are determined by their engagement and contributions to FSI's advocacy mission and the industry.

"The dedication of our members is vital in creating a more business-friendly regulatory environment for the independent financial services industry," Brown concluded.

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