Lauren Locker, CFP, founder of Locker Financial Services LLC in Little Falls, N.J., has been elected national chair of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors effective immediately, NAPFA announced today.

She was elected August 31 to fill the position at a special election to take the place of Ron Rhoades who had stepped down as chairman-elect because of a compliance situation within his firm, ScholarFi, based in Alfred, N.Y. Rhoades had been scheduled to take over as chair, a volunteer position, Sept. 1.

Locker succeeds Susan John, CPF, as national chair. Locker is the immediate past chair of Napfa's Northeast/Mid-Atlantic board and has served on Napfa's National board for the past two years.

She became a Registered Financial Gerontologist and Certified Senior Advisor and created ElderLife, a new division of her business, to work specifically with aging adults.

"I am humbled that the national board chose me to fill this position at Napfa at a critical time for the organization and our industry as a whole," says Locker. "The current debate regarding oversight and regulation of our industry presents Napfa members with a unique opportunity to bring their commitment to the fiduciary standard to the forefront."

Rhoades stepped down after his firm failed to meet a deadline for filing in Florida.

-Karen DeMasters