--- title: Recognizing Certified Exit Planning Advisors from our 2010 Class description: EPI celebrates its CEPA class of 2010 with these five graduates who have maintained their credential for 15 years. image: https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/2010Class-BLOG.png --- ![exit planning institute](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/EPI_Exit-Planning-Institute_shield_white.png?width=60&height=64&name=EPI_Exit-Planning-Institute_shield_white.png) ## THE EXIT PLANNING BLOG Keep up-to-date with exit planning, succession planning, industry trends, unique specialty insights, and useful content for professional advisors and business owners. [![home](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/EPI-Assets-2022/blog/home.png) ](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/) #### Share this [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&text=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) [Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&t=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) [Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&t=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) # Recognizing Certified Exit Planning Advisors from our 2010 Class by [**Rob DiFranco**](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/author/rob-difranco) on April 13, 2026 ![Recognizing CEPAs from our 2010 Class (From left: Craig West, Roy Messing, Odee Ingersoll, Douglas Dickey, Jay Simecek)](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/hubfs/2010Class-BLOG.png) In 2007, [Exit Planning Institute® (EPI)](https://exit-planning-institute.org/) launched the first-ever [Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)](https://exit-planning-institute.org/program/certified-exit-planning-advisor) program. This designation changed the profession forever as it empowered 2008 CEPA graduate and EPI Chairman Christopher Snider to create the modern framework for exit planning through the Value Acceleration Methodology™. In just the first five years, 200 advisors earned their CEPA designation, and now, nearly two decades later, there are more than 8,000 CEPAs worldwide. The CEPA designation empowers advisors to serve their clients and fellow advisors as the industry's demand for exit planning grows. In this blog, we highlight five top CEPAs who earned their credential in 2010, marking their 15th year in the field and continuing to deliver value for business owners. ## Celebrating CEPAs from the Class of 2010 **Odee Ingersoll: **Odee Ingersoll currently serves as Director of NBDC at the [University of Nebraska at Kearney and the Nebraska Center for Business Value and Transition](https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-business-development-center/index.php). A CEPA since 2010, Odee has completed more than 500 valuation engagements throughout his career. Odee has extensive experience in financial analysis and modeling, feasibility studies, economic impact assessment, market research, and GIS site analysis. He regularly assists entrepreneurs and business owners with business valuation, business plans, loan packages, and funding requests. He also conducts seminars and speaks on various business topics, and has been featured as a presenter for the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank at a national session on business valuation and exit planning. **Douglas Dickey: **As a Partner at [DRDA](https://drdacpa.com/), a certified public accounting firm, Doug has more than 35 years of experience in public accounting. His practice focus has been on small- and mid-market companies and on supporting the pursuits of entrepreneurs. His areas of practice are taxation and business advisory services. Douglas originally became a CPA with dreams of starting or buying his own business, but after working with business owners, he found a passion for working alongside them to create significant companies. **Roy Messing: **Roy Messing is the Executive Director of the [Michigan Center for Employee Ownership](https://www.miceo.org/), where he educates owners and their advisors about the benefits of employee ownership. Previously, Roy served as director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center, where more than 30 businesses became employee-owned. **Jay Simecek: **Jay Simecek is a seasoned CEPA and the former President of the [Ohio Employee Ownership Center](https://www.oeockent.org/). Jay was born and raised in the greater Cleveland area, attended John Carroll University, served in the US Air Force, and began his career in the Information Systems industry. He first encountered employee ownership as he recognized the opportunity to develop a succession plan for the principal of a privately held, family-owned firm. As Vice President and General Manager, he orchestrated its buyout and transition to an ESOP, then stayed on to lead the firm for 15 years. Craig West:** **The Founder of [Capitaliz](https://www.capitaliz.com/), Craig West is an experienced CEPA and a pioneer of exit planning in his native Australia. After earning his credential in 2010, Craig returned to Australia and refined his process, using the Value Acceleration Methodology to help more than 800 business owners. In 2022, Craig earned his doctorate from Charles Sturt University, writing his thesis on the key drivers of business exit options for small and medium enterprises and how to improve succession and exit outcomes for owners. Craig is also a 2024 Circle of Excellence inductee. To learn more about his CEPA journey, click [here](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/circle-of-excellence-craig-west). ### Recognizing Excellence in Exit Planning These five CEPAs have made outstanding contributions to the exit planning field, and they can take pride in their accomplishments today. We recognize their dedication and the ongoing growth of exit planning. Their achievements will be honored at the Exit Planning Summit, reflecting their commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry. ### Related Resources - [15 Years of Elevating CEPAs at the Exit Planning Summit](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/15-years-of-elevating-cepas-at-the-exit-planning-summit) - [Recognizing CEPAs from our 2009 Class](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2025-15-year-cepa) - [What is the Value Acceleration Methodology™?](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/what-is-value-acceleration-methodology) Topics: [CEPA](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/cepa) [Exit Planning Summit](https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/tag/exit-planning-summit) #### Share this [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&text=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) [Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&t=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) [Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.exit-planning-institute.org/2026-15-year-cepas&t=Recognizing%20Certified%20Exit%20Planning%20Advisors%20from%20our%202010%20Class) - 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