CEPA Spotlight: Tom Jordan

The Exit Planning Institute community is comprised of a large variety of professional advisors from across the globe. There are over 3,500 Certified Exit Planning Advisors in the marketplace currently helping business owners build value in their companies prior to exiting. 

We spoke with CEPA, Tom Jordan to discuss how his CEPA credential has impacted his business. 

What is a CEPA? 

The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credential is for professional advisors who want to effectively engage more business owners. Through the process of Exit Planning (the Value Acceleration Methodology), owners can build more valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals. Earning CEPA doesn’t change your expertise, it enhances your ability to engage business owners and conduct value-added conversations around growth and exit.

Meet Tom Jordan

Tom Jordan is the President and Founder of Exodus Complink. Tom earned his CEPA credential in 2018 and has since incorporated the teachings of the Value Acceleration Methodology into his practice. 

As entrepreneurs who understand how to grow a company and support the people that power the results, the Exodus Complink team is comprised of some of the most experienced business planning professionals in the industry. 

Tom shares, “We specialize in the retention and reward of key employees, developing credible and certified valuations, implementing the art of business value acceleration, and developing business exit options that are understandable and doable.” In collaboration with a network of organizations and top brands, Exodus Complink works with other advisors to owners with a team mindset. 

What made you want to become a CEPA? 

Tom: I recognized the coming baby boomer tsunami of owners preparing to exit their businesses. I sought to find the best way to help them in their coming transitions. This was to be prepared to guide an owner in a holistic way through the maze of critical decisions they will face before, during, and after their business exit.

Since earning your CEPA credential, how has your practice grown? 

Tom: The CEPA credential gave me the confidence to venture into new areas. I have completely revamped my practice into four distinct verticals. Exit Planning, Value Advising, Compensation Planning, and Certified Valuations and Opinions of Value from a non-digitized algorithm. We now have certified appraisers on staff. Establishing a relationship with an owner needed a broader platform of discovery. I am very team-oriented, and this style gave me an outlet to connect with other advisors.

What was your “Aha moment” when completing the CEPA program?

Tom: I have worked with business owners for over 25 years, mainly focusing on helping them develop ways to retain and reward their key employees. In the 5 years since earning my CEPA credential, I have sharpened my craft, and “Aha moments” occur almost daily. CEPA gave me the science of the business owner world and a few years of actual experience with owners is teaching me the art. 

What made you decide to work with owners during what is likely the largest financial transaction in their life? 

Tom: All of my research suggested most owners were at a distinct disadvantage in planning for their eventual exit. Planning well as an owner builds sellable value seemed to be a challenge for many in my market focus. The role I play on an owner’s team will depend on what part of my practice I am called in for subject matter expertise. I am most effective in the Value Advising pre-exit and Compensation Planning areas. 

Are you interested in becoming a CEPA? Learn more about the Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential and see how you can become a CEPA here! 

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