Founding president Grau makes way for Froelich at Wealth Advisor Institute. The Wealth Advisor Institute (WAI) has selected Tom Froehlich to succeed David Grau as its president. Froehlich is also head of Froehlich Financial Group, a Lake Heights, N.J.-based investment advisory.

"Froehlich has been with WAI since the early planning stages and has done an outstanding job as a member of the board of directors and as chairman of our membership committee," says WAI's chairman Keith Gregg. "He has done more than anyone to recruit members for WAI and is also responsible for attracting key corporate sponsors and business partners for the Institute. He brings to this new post drive, enthusiasm, and a tireless commitment to WAI."

Expanding offerings

Gregg, formerly head of sales at San Diego-based investment-platform provider Dunham & Associates, was recently named president of San Diego-based independent broker-dealer First Allied Securities.

Froehlich says that WAI has made significant strides since its founding about 14 months ago. "We have built a strong membership base and have put together an impressive array of benefits, services, and programs for those members," he says. "My immediate goal is to expand and enhance what WAI can offer, to better serve existing members and to attract new members."

WAI concentrates on providing advocacy and education services to fee-based wealth managers.

The association is open to investment advisors, insurance agents, attorneys, and accountants "who are committed to serving the affluent and high net-worth client by adhering to the highest professional standards, conduct and ethics," according to an association press release.

WAI's past president Grau, who is CEO of Portland, Ore.-based, advisory-business broker Business Transitions, will remain on WAI's board. -FWR

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