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by Colleen Kowalski on July 19, 2023
The community of Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs®) continues to grow. Over 4,000 CEPAs are now active in the exit planning industry, providing the necessary expertise and resources for business owners looking to build business value, exit their business, and have a fulfilling next act. The CEPA community is comprised of advisors from a diverse collection of backgrounds, including accountants, financial advisors, attorneys, wealth managers, and more.
Today we shine the spotlight on Excellence In Exit Planning Award nominee, Mark Dorman. A CEPA since 2020, Mark has since grown his own advisory practice, launched a thriving advisor network, and hosts a popular business podcast.
We spoke to Mark to learn more about how his CEPA credential has helped improve his business!
Meet Mark Dorman
Mark Dorman has a reputation for excellence in business succession and exit planning, corporate retirement plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, executive benefits, 401(k) strategies, Founding his first business in 1999, Dorman Farrell, LLC, Mark quickly grew his financial services and financial planning, and business value maximization.
Founder of Dorman Legacy Advisors and president of Legacy Business Advisors, Mark has helped hundreds of middle market businesses with growth, continuity and transition plans, in preparation for the largest financial transaction they will ever make – the transition or exit from their business.
Founding his first business in 1999, Dorman Farrell, LLC, Mark quickly grew his financial services and employee benefits company into one of the most respected firms in Ohio, before his successful exit.
With more than 30 years of experience, he is an industry thought leader and influencer, a popular speaker, the author of numerous e-books, and the host of his own podcast called Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top. He founded Legacy Advisors Network (LAN), is a managing partner of The Alternative Board™ (TAB) Western Reserve chapter, a member of the Forbes Business Council, and is passionate about connecting people and mentoring young professionals.
His professional designations and credentials include Certified Family Business Specialist (CFBS), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).
Mark serves as a board member with Medina County Port Authority and the Medina County Community Fund. He lives in Medina, Ohio with his wife Tanya, and their four children. He is known as an avid if not obsessed, golfer.
What about Exit Planning interests you the most?
Mark: For me, it is the complexity and the singular nature of all of the different cases I work on. I enjoy the variety, complexity, and specificity.
Of which of your professional accomplishments this past year are you most proud?
Mark: I am most proud of my continued personal and professional growth in the past few years. I earned two new credentials during COVID, the CEPA, and the AIF. In addition, the Legacy Advisors Network has grown exponentially. This community is a collection of advisors from across the nation and helps highlight the practical application of EPI’s teachings.
What characteristics do you feel make a successful exit planning advisor?
Mark: To be an effective exit planning advisor, you must have a broad and deep understanding of business. Consistently immerse yourself in business knowledge. When talking with your business owner clients, they should feel confident that you know about business and will ask the right questions instead of simply telling them the answers. Good exit planning advisors are strong enough to ask the tough questions but empathetic to know that the owners might not want to share the answers right away.
How has your practice changed since you earned your CEPA Credential?
Mark: I was in the first virtual CEPA class in 2020. Since completing the program, my level of self-confidence has grown immensely.
What would you suggest to CEPAs looking to be more involved in the CEPA community?
Mark: Be comfortable bringing in other professionals to build out your client’s exit planning team. The best system is to find a good prospect and work with other CEPAs on the engagement. By surrounding yourself with more veteran exit planning advisors you are able to learn from their experience and improve your practice and the outcome for your client.
What is the Legacy Advisors Network?
Mark: The Legacy Advisors Network helps educate advisors from across the country. Legacy Advisors Network has member planners across the country who can assist you in addressing your transition and succession planning needs. Our national network of advisors works directly with business owners and their existing advisors to assist in the creation of transition plans that achieve success for family-owned and privately held businesses and their owners. Legacy Advisors Network exists to provide timely and valuable resources to business owners and their advisors that inform business owners of the value of their business and help them identify and select the best option to realize that value as they complete their transition into the next chapter of their lives.
Become a Certified Exit Planning Advisor®
The Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credential is for professional advisors who want to effectively engage more business owners, build value within their business, and exit on their own terms. Through the process of Exit Planning, utilizing the Value Acceleration Methodology, owners can build more valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals. Earning the CEPA credential expands your expertise and enhances your ability to engage business owners and conduct value-added conversations around growth and exit.
The Certified Exit Planning Advisor credential is for those advisors who want to expand their expertise and differentiate themselves from the competition.
- Differentiate yourself from the competition
- Gain better access to business owners
- Become more engaged on a business owner's advisory team
- Have deeper and more holistic conversations with business owners
- Grow your referral network of professional advisors
- Access hundreds of marketing and business development tools tailored for owners
Learn more about the CEPA program and become your client’s Most Valued Advisor today!
