Cygnet Institute has been designated by CEFEX, the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence as a nonprofit Investment Support Services (ISS) provider for plan sponsors and plan participants to educate adults in economic matters, advance their financial literacy and enhance their ability to make good financial decisions in self-directed retirement plans and non-retirement accounts. For more information click the seal or go to www.CEFEX.org.
Board of Directors
Ted Lakkides, CFP®, CRC®, is Founder and President of Cygnet Institute and Chairman of Cygnet Financial Freedom House. Since 2004, he has served as Director of the Community Services Division of the Michigan Council on Economic Education (MCEE). He has also taught at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and CFP® program at Walsh College.
David Dieterle, Ph.D., is Professor of Economics at Walsh College. He has taught at Central Michigan, Edgewood College, Northern Illinois, University of Cincinnati, and University of Michigan-Flint. Dr. Dieterle is past president and chief academic officer of the Michigan Council on Economic Education.
Brian Lakkides, AIF® Founder and Managing Director of Fiduciary Firewall Consulting, Inc. was one of the first 2,000 professionals in the USA to earn the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® certification from the Center for Fiduciary Studies and fi360. He is a frequent speaker on fiduciary governance issues, has been published in the “Journal of Pension Benefits,” and served as an external reviewer and contributor for the revision of the “Prudent Practices Handbooks for Investment Stewards and Advisors.”
Brian O’Connor is an award-winning personal finance columnist, founding managing editor of Bankrate.com and author whose nationally syndicated “Funny Money” column is a three-time National Society of Newspaper Columnists award winner.
Keith Moore, CPA is a leading member of the Audit and Assurance Department and a partner at UHY LLP. A licensed CPA (Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky), he helps develop and implement strategic plans to improve operating efficiencies, protect assets and increase profitability.
Jeffrey A. Hoover, JD is a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP and works at the firm’s Troy offices. Jeff counsels businesses on mergers, acquisitions, and other matters vital to their organization. He focuses his practice on corporate issues, including finance, commercial lending, real estate, and the reorganization of business entities. He counsels clients through mergers with other businesses, including those happening through bankruptcy sales.
Justin P. King (1942-2022) “As a founding member of the board and its chairman, Justin’s leadership and guidance in the early years was instrumental in placing Cygnet Institute among the premier providers of financial educators. We will miss him.” -Ted Lakkides
Testimonials