Circle of Excellence: Peter Christman
“Advisors were working in silos. You've got your legal silos, you've got your accounting silos, your consulting silos, and the silos were not communicating with each other. But those silos have a role in the exit planning process. So, what's wrong with this picture? They're not communicating, losing out on assignments, helping their clients, and so on,” recalled the late Peter Christman, who passed away last year.
That realization of how disconnected advisors—and, as a result, business owners—were in the exit planning process led Peter on a journey that gave birth to a field of expertise and transformed the careers of thousands of business advisors.
Without Christman, there would be no Exit Planning Institute® (EPI). So, it’s only fitting that Peter is inducted into the Exit Planning Circle of Excellence.
Now in its second year, the Circle of Excellence honors the people who have built the community and body of knowledge we all use to advise business owners.
A Uniting Vision
In 2001, Peter, an accomplished investment banker, set out to create a holistic and structured approach to exit planning—one that could change the lives of his clients.
“Originally, I developed exit planning as a marketing tool from my M&A practice,” he previously shared. “And I wanted to expose these other silos to the exit planning process and educate them to the opportunities that were available to them.”
This vision led Peter and Rich Jackim to form EPI, a professional organization for advisors. They wanted to share resources and education for those in this emerging field, teaching advisors how to address an owner’s personal, business, and financial considerations. With Jackim, he co-authored The $10 Trillion Opportunity, still a foundational resource for those in the exit planning field.
In 2012, Peter and Jackim sold EPI to Christopher Snider and Scott Snider. But Peter’s contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization and the broader community. His vision and commitment helped shape EPI into a leading authority today.
No “Question” on Impact
Peter believed that a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) could change the life of a business owner.
“Owners need a well-qualified CEPA,” said Peter. “You've got to be able to sit down, no pressure—very loose—with business owners and ask them a question and then shut up! If you follow that advice, I can guarantee your success. Because the more questions you ask and the more they respond, the smarter you get in their mind.”
He also predicted that CEPAs would become leading business advisors: “It’s heading in the direction of a CEPA being a profession like a CPA or lawyer.”
How right he was! Today, there are over 8,000 CEPAs worldwide. Additionally, EPI supports a community of over 36,000 business advisors, including financial planners, CPAs, lawyers, M&A advisors, and more.
A Legacy Lives On
Peter’s colleagues and friends continue to remember him as a mentor and a visionary. His ability to connect with people and his unwavering commitment to his work made him a respected and beloved figure.
For that reason, EPI ensured his legacy would live on in its most prestigious award: The Peter Christman Exit Planner of the Year. It is the highest honor offered in the exit planning industry, awarded yearly to a CEPA who practices exit planning, manages exit planning engagements, or educates business owners and advisors.
About the Circle of Excellence
The Circle of Excellence is an annual recognition that honors the individuals who have established the exit planning profession. It aims to acknowledge those who have built a community and the body of knowledge that we all rely on to advise business owners.
This year, we will induct five new members at the 2025 Exit Planning Summit. Throughout the year, we will feature each of them in a blog series to celebrate their contributions to the exit planning profession.
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