By BRENDAN DALEY
Have you ever felt the need to buy that do-it-all blender off a persuasive early-morning infomercial? Instead of spending all of your cash, maybe it’s time to seek the guidance of a financial planner.
After all, Conestoga is home to many next-generation financial planners – and they are learning from the best.
Dave Kohler, a financial planning professor at Conestoga, is the recipient of the 2011 Fellow of FPSC distinction which is awarded by the Financial Planning Standards Council.
Introduced in August, the Fellow of FPSC distinction was awarded to 33 individuals across Canada.
According to the FPSC website, “The Fellow distinction is conferred to individuals who have helped advance FPSC’s vision of seeing Canadians improve their lives by engaging in financial planning.”
According to Cary List, president and CEO of the FPSC, “The long-standing and sustained contributions of the people in this first-ever group of Fellow of FPSC recipients are exceptional.
Their contributions have made an important impact in helping to build this profession and advance financial planning,”
In order to receive the Fellow of FPSC distinction, candidates must be nominated by two individuals, as well as meet the FPSC’s criteria.
Kohler, who has been volunteering with the FPSC since their formative years in the mid-’90s, was initially nominated by an executive of the FPSC.
His second reference would come from a friend and fellow financial planner.
“Considering that there are 18,000 CFP professionals in Canada, I was absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive the honour,” Kohler said.
Prior to Conestoga, Kohler worked in the financial services industry for 25 years while also teaching part-time at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Having always wanted to teach full-time, Kohler remained optimistic that the opportunity would arise. Finally, two years ago Kohler was hired as a full-time professor at Conestoga.
“I really enjoy the atmosphere of post-secondary education. I love the students and I enjoy interacting with them. I derive a lot of pleasure from working and helping others,” Kohler said.
“To know that I have made a contribution to my industry, as well as to my clients and students that I have worked with over the years, is a great honour for me.”
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