Trone to Focus on Foundation for Fiduciary Studies; Aikin Named CEO of fi360
SEWICKLEY, PA, September 19, 2007 -- Fiduciary360® (fi360), an organization promoting fiduciary responsibility by providing training, tools, and resources to improve decision making processes for fiduciaries, announced today that Donald B. Trone, AIFA, the founder and former CEO of fi360, will focus his efforts on the now independent Foundation for Fiduciary Studies, where he maintains his title of president. Blaine F. Aikin, AIFA®, CFA, CFP®, has been named CEO of fi360. Fi360 coordinates the resources for the Center for Fiduciary Studies and Fiduciary Analytics, which serve those who manage money for others.
The announcement is the result of a long-contemplated decision by fi360 to further separate operations of its training and Web-based tools services from the research-based Foundation for Fiduciary Studies. Through the separation, the Foundation hopes to enjoy the same success as the Center for Fiduciary Studies and Fiduciary Analytics, both of which were just named to the list of Pittsburgh's 100 fastest-growing companies by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Foundation will work toward becoming a more active and independent player in the movement to further cultivate a culture of fiduciary responsibility in the investment industry.
The move gives Mr. Trone, 53, a greater opportunity to focus his time and talents on researching and improving the fiduciary industry's best practices, sharing that information on a more global level and promoting the topic of fiduciary responsibility through his innovative public speaking and writings. "The Foundation provides an opportunity to positively impact the industry and its level of professionalism," said Trone. "With ever-increasing legislation and expectations for transparency and corporate governance, we believe the time is right to make the Foundation all that it can be to serve the industry. I'm confident Blaine and his team will continue expanding fi360 by reaching even more fiduciaries with its exceptional training and tools, which are based on the practices and principles created by the Foundation," said Trone.
Mr. Trone, a well-regarded and highly sought-after speaker in the retirement industry, is co-author of two industry bestsellers, Procedural Prudence and The Management of Investment Decisions (McGraw-Hill Publishing).
Blaine Aikin Named CEO of fi360
Mr. Aikin's primary responsibility is to further enhance fi360's reputation as the leading global source of fiduciary insights, reaching greater numbers of professionals worldwide who can benefit from its products and services. These include investment stewards, advisors and managers, financial planners, corporate and non-profit board members, attorneys and other professionals responsible for managing the investments of others. He will work to assure the continuation of exceptional service to fi360's clients and partners in the financial services community.
"I am excited to be leading fi360 into its very promising future," said Aikin. "Don is a true visionary and I look forward to continuing the growth of the companies he started at a time when the need for our services is greater than ever."
Mr. Aikin, 53, joined fi360 in March 2005 as the Director of Training. Since that time, he has overseen the updating of the training curriculum for the Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst designation programs and for adopting an ISO-like approach to the Global Fiduciary Standards of Excellence, which represent the melding of fiduciary standards of care with industry best practices.
Mr. Aikin received his Masters of Public Management and Policy degree from the Heinz School of Carnegie-Mellon University. He holds the Certified Financial Planner®, Chartered Financial Analyst and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ designations. His professional experience includes being a principal and Chief Investment Officer of Allegiance Financial Advisors and a Senior Vice President and Director of Product Development and Management for PNC Advisors.
About fi360
Fi360 promotes a culture of fiduciary responsibility and improves the decision making processes of investment fiduciaries. Fi360 coordinates the resources for the Center for Fiduciary Studies and Fiduciary Analytics, which license the Prudent Practices for Investment Fiduciaries from the Foundation for Fiduciary Studies. The Center provides investment education and training programs and awards the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst™ (AIFA®) professional designations. Fiduciary Analytics provides sophisticated Web-based tools and reporting, including the innovative Fiduciary Score™ and the Fund Family Fiduciary Rankings™.
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