The Financial Planning Association today announced that David Brand has been named director of strategic operations after serving as a consultant to the organization and one of its prior executives.

Before the merger between the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP) and the Institute for Certified Financial Planners (ICFP) in 2000 that created the FPA, Brand had served as executive director of the FPA.

In his new role, Brand will oversee the implementation of the FPA's business plan, specifically working with other staff leaders on new member and chapter initiatives and facilitating strategic partnerships and relationships, according to the FPA. The appointment comes at a time when the FPA has struggled with membership attrition following the merger more than a decade ago. Membership loss accelerated during the financial crisis but has since stabilized.

Brand received a juris doctorate degree from the University of Denver College of Law and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado. He is certified by the Minessence Group International in values-based coaching and consulting.

Over the past 25 years, Brand has worked with organizations including the Financial Planning Association, End-of-Life Choices, the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations, and Continuing Legal Education in Colorado.

He became a leadership and organizational consultant in 2004, focusing on helping individuals and organizations develop leadership skills, improve communication, achieve personal mastery and realize organizational and team excellence.

“Having been intimately connected to the financial planning profession since 1995, I believe in FPA and the great influence FPA will continue to exert in realizing the recognition and appropriate regulation of the financial planning profession," Brand said in a prepared statement. "The FPA is poised to significantly enhance the value proposition for its members and elevate its 93 chapters in support of the organization's strategic directive."