Share this
by Kellie Nock on May 1, 2025
What is the Circle of Excellence?
Each year, the Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) honors a group of innovators in the exit planning profession by inducting them into its prestigious Circle of Excellence. These individuals are true pioneers in the field, introducing and expanding on ideas, techniques, and systems that enhance our abilities as advisors and communicators. Since its inception 20 years ago in 2005, EPI has continually evolved to meet the needs of advisors worldwide, a progression made possible by visionaries like those we celebrate in our Circle of Excellence.
With two decades of exit planning expertise, we recognize and celebrate the professionals who have shaped the industry into what it is today.
Meet This Year’s Inductees
This year’s new Circle of Excellence honorees will be inducted at the 2025 Exit Planning Summit and showcased in blogs for the remainder of the year. They are:
Peter Christman
The late Peter Christman, a founding pillar of EPI, devoted his life to helping business owners holistically prepare for life after their exit. He co-founded EPI in 2005 with fellow Circle of Excellence inductee Richard Jackim. He established the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation program to broaden the field of exit planning and support more business owners. Peter was recognized for his mentorship and his ability to connect with others. He was also co-author of The $10 Trillion Opportunity with Richard Jackim.
Richard Jackim
Richard “Rich” Jackim co-founded EPI and authored its foundational text, The $10 Trillion Opportunity. This book raised awareness of the importance of exit planning, and two years after its publication in 2003, Rich and Peter founded EPI to deliver professional exit planning education to advisors. Rich is an expert investment banker, nationally recognized for his contributions to middle-market mergers and acquisitions.
Chris Cooper
In 2013, EPI partnered with the Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University, where ESOP professional Chris Cooper provided expertise and insight on this aspect of exit planning. He co-authored and co-founded the first-ever State of Owner Readiness™ Survey, which revealed the national pulse of business readiness and business owners' market outlook at the time. Chris is also the co-founder of the first Northeast Ohio chapter in the EPI Chapters program and serves as the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University.
Patrick O’Brien
Joining the inductees in 2025 is Patrick O'Brien, a co-author of the State of Owner Readiness Survey. Along with Chris, Patrick co-founded the first Northeast Ohio EPI chapter. As Wealth Director at PNC Bank, Patrick advocates for exit planning for his peers and colleagues in the industry. He is dedicated to assisting business owners and their families achieve their desired outcomes and create a lasting legacy.
Ken Sanginario
Ken Sanginario is a pioneer in value growth services. As a founding faculty member of EPI, he played a crucial role in introducing the Value Acceleration Methodology™ to the exit planning community. He also co-founded the Value Opportunity Profile tool for exit planning, providing software to assess and enhance value for businesses. Ken is also the creator of the Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA®) credential.
Exit Planning in 20 Years
As EPI celebrates 20 years of the profession, it is crucial to acknowledge those who have innovated in this space and continue fostering this kind of innovative and evolving leadership. As the needs of business owners and advisors change over time, knowing how to engage these audiences is essential for the profession's ongoing evolution.
Attend the 2025 Exit Planning Summit
Unlock your potential at the Exit Planning Summit, where advisors will experience the opportunity to evolve through experiences, people, and innovation. Enhance your approach to connecting with business owners, cultivate impactful relationships, and engage in conversations that lead to powerful exit planning strategies. Over the course of three days, you will forge lasting connections with influential business owners, setting the foundation for new opportunities to achieve the best outcomes for your clients. Don't miss out on this chance to grow and make a lasting impact!
