Blaine Aikin, CFP®, CFA, AIFA® is the new Chair of the Board of Directors for Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). In his role as Board Chair, Aikin will lead the Board as it sets policy and further defines the organization's strategic direction.

"The CFP® certification hit an extraordinary milestone in 2016 – exceeding 75,000 active CFP® professionals," said Aikin. "For our relatively young profession, that is no small achievement – but there is much more work to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and CFP Board's staff to find new ways to advance CFP® certification as the standard of excellence for personal financial planning."

Aikin is currently the Executive Chairman of fi360, which administers the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® designations. Additionally, fi360 helps financial intermediaries use prudent fiduciary practices to protect investors' assets.

"Blaine has been a tremendous asset to CFP Board's Board of Directors, and we expect even greater achievements with him at the helm," said CFP Board CEO Kevin R. Keller, CAE. "His vast knowledge of the profession and mission-focused leadership will surely help advance Awareness, Access, Accountability and Authority with regard to CFP® certification."

Aikin joined fi360 in 2005 as Chief Knowledge Officer, became Chief Executive Officer in 2007, and was named Executive Chairman in 2015. Prior to joining fi360, Aikin was the Director of Product Development and Management at PNC Bank, CIO of Allegiance Financial Advisors and also served in federal and local government.

Aikin holds a Master's degree in Public Management and Policy from The Heinz School at Carnegie-Mellon University and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science from Allegheny College. Upon completion of his graduate studies, Aikin was selected to the Presidential Management Intern Program and served in the U.S. Treasury and in the office of U.S. Senator John Heinz.

ABOUT CFP BOARD

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board's mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 76,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.